Malachi 4:1-6; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-28

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Have you ever heard of opposite day? It was a day when you did the opposite of whatever someone told you. Instead of walking forward, you would walk backwards. Instead of siting down, you would stand up. Instead of trying to win, you would try to lose. Often as kids observing opposite day, everyone would look at you weird because it just never made sense to them. Why do things the “wrong” or opposite way from how they’re supposed to be done?

But I also assume you know the definition of insanity. It makes less sense trying to do the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. If you’ve tried winning by doing the same thing every time... and still haven’t won, then maybe it is time to try a different way. If you keep going through the motions of life expecting to become happy, and still are not happy, then maybe it’s time to do the opposite.

In a time of the church year where our focus is on the destruction and end of the world, the reality for us is actually the opposite! In our Gospel reading, Jesus gives us a very grim look at what the end times will look like, what our world already looks like. However, he doesn’t do so to make you depressed. He does it to give you hope! Consider his words, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom... You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish,” Luke 21:10, 16-18. In the midst of so much evil and destruction, Jesus makes us a promise. He promises that no matter what happens to us, you will always find life through Him!

God’s kingdom is an upside-down, opposite type of kingdom. We suffer, but are happy. We are hated, but have abundant friends. We are persecuted, but never destroyed. Yes, this world will come to an end one day. The terror and horror of it all will bring many to despair. Yet, it’s in the midst of all of these things that Christians are meant to thrive. For the destruction of our world doesn’t mean the end for us, but rather an end to the reign of sin and death. “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near,” Luke 21:28. The end times is our hope as God’s holy kingdom comes crashing into our midst.

As we watch our world falling apart, as we see all the destruction and devastation happening around our world, it gives us the perfect opportunity to witness. Yes, this is exactly what Jesus said to his disciples (Luke 21:13). As the world is being brought to an end, it’s our time to share with others that victory is found in defeat, conquering is found in surrender, and life is found only through death. For we look not for the glory of military leaders, political rulers, nor the best and brightest to deliver us from a world falling apart. We look to Jesus who brings us to new and eternal life through his suffering. This is the glory of the cross, that Jesus has defeated death by his death. Jesus has overcome sin by becoming sin for us. Jesus has sealed the grave by first entering it himself. So, shall it be for you and me. We look not to the glory of our world as it fades away, but to the suffering of Christ that shall bring us to the glory of God unending! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O Lord, almighty and ever-living God, You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who trust in You. Rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may live and abide forever in Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!