No Need To Be Afraid
A reading for Monday, November 3, 2014: Luke 12:49-59.
The "Day of the Lord" was the scariest thing anyone could imagine in the first century. Prophets had long foretold of the day when the world would be judged. The prophet Zephaniah writes, "On that day, says the Lord, a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate, a wail from the Second Quarter, a loud crash from the hills. At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the people who rest complacently on their dregs..." This was to be the darkest day in history, when God would deliver what the world deserves for it's failure to live justly and at peace.
Jesus too offers the warning in today's lesson. This is not the peaceful, gentle Jesus we have come to expect. This is Jesus proclaiming what's at stake for all who do not listen and repent. Division will occur within God's people. Not everyone will believe. Jesus came (and was baptized) so that all would know that the kingdom of God had come, but some would not accept him. Perhaps this is the prediction (or prophecy) of his own betrayal. This is part of the journey of our Lord to Jerusalem where he would be crucified. This would be the "Day of the Lord."
Jesus wonders why those closest to him cannot see what is so obvious. Like the signs of the weather that are easily understood, there were already signs that Jesus would be betrayed and killed. Why could they not see it? It was a scary and confusing time.
Truth is, as disconcerting as these verses are, we no longer need to be afraid of such days. The "Day of the Lord" is not scary for those who are kept in the faith, since we have already been saved. We do not need to interpret the signs since Jesus has offered his life for us, and we will be with him in eternal peace forever. Judgement has already occurred and Jesus has vouched for you and me.
Perhaps today's lesson is a good reminder of where we would be without Jesus? A quick thank you would be the best response. Thanks be to God!
The "Day of the Lord" was the scariest thing anyone could imagine in the first century. Prophets had long foretold of the day when the world would be judged. The prophet Zephaniah writes, "On that day, says the Lord, a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate, a wail from the Second Quarter, a loud crash from the hills. At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the people who rest complacently on their dregs..." This was to be the darkest day in history, when God would deliver what the world deserves for it's failure to live justly and at peace.
Jesus too offers the warning in today's lesson. This is not the peaceful, gentle Jesus we have come to expect. This is Jesus proclaiming what's at stake for all who do not listen and repent. Division will occur within God's people. Not everyone will believe. Jesus came (and was baptized) so that all would know that the kingdom of God had come, but some would not accept him. Perhaps this is the prediction (or prophecy) of his own betrayal. This is part of the journey of our Lord to Jerusalem where he would be crucified. This would be the "Day of the Lord."
Jesus wonders why those closest to him cannot see what is so obvious. Like the signs of the weather that are easily understood, there were already signs that Jesus would be betrayed and killed. Why could they not see it? It was a scary and confusing time.
Truth is, as disconcerting as these verses are, we no longer need to be afraid of such days. The "Day of the Lord" is not scary for those who are kept in the faith, since we have already been saved. We do not need to interpret the signs since Jesus has offered his life for us, and we will be with him in eternal peace forever. Judgement has already occurred and Jesus has vouched for you and me.
Perhaps today's lesson is a good reminder of where we would be without Jesus? A quick thank you would be the best response. Thanks be to God!
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