My words will not pass away
Luke 21:29-38
29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
34 “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37 Every day he was teaching in the temple, and at night he would go out and spend the night on the Mount of Olives, as it was called. 38 And all the people would get up early in the morning to listen to him in the temple.
This passage continues the conversation from yesterday about the end of all things. The opening words say that we should be able to read the signs for what is coming and be ready. But notice that while we may know the end is near (vs. 30 and vs. 31), there is no indication that we will be able to know when exactly the end will come. The end when it comes will come unexpectedly for some people, vs. 34, for those who have not been on guard. The feeling of this passage is that we should live ready for the end. Each and every day to live as through this might be the day when the end will come.
Second, the time between now and the coming of the end will be difficult, vs. 36. We are to pray that we will be given the strength and the endurance we need to make it through the difficulties that are yet to come. Going through the difficulty is what is needed to be able to stand before Jesus in the end (vs. 36). The road will be hard.
In the midst of this serious talk is the promise of vs. 33. Often in reading the Bible the important line does not come at the end of the passage, but rather in the middle. Here in the middle of passage is, “my words will not pass away.” Among those words that will not pass away are Jesus’ words, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” In a world that feels fragile, and where life is precarious we have the promise that Jesus is with us to the end. That in the end the King will reign over all.
PRAYER:
Lord God, remind us that your word is sure and certain. Remind us that you will keep your promise to the very end, and that you will be with us through all that lies ahead. Give us courage and trust that we may rest in you and in you alone even if the road ahead is difficult. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.