November 28,2021 – Luke 21:25-36
Luke 21:25-36
Into Trouble Comes the Son of Humanity
First Sunday of Advent – November 28, 2021
First Lutheran Church – Winnipeg, MB
Well, one thing you can say for Jesus: he doesn’t sugarcoat things. Hahahah!
He sees things as they are – which to my mind makes him very trustworthy.
There are at least 4 different troublesome contexts Jesus speaks of today:
Daniel’s, his own, Luke’s, and . . . ours.
For one thing, Jesus looks back to the time of Daniel which we heard about a couple of weeks ago.
Daniel’s message to his people was one of comfort – the message was that
God was working for them and protecting them even though they might not see it.
Daniel spoke of the fall of an evil tyrant king and the coming of a “Son of Humanity” who will
usher in God’s rule of justice and well-being.
Today, in his own context, Jesus speaks as another evil tyrant king – Caesar –
oppressively rules his country as an occupying power.
He speaks of wars and destruction and killing and captivity and he likely sees
the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem 40 years later as a consequence of
the Jewish people’s armed rebellion against Rome.
Luke, writing 20 years or so after the destruction of that Temple,
writes his story of Jesus into a context of persecution and continuing hardship
as Rome continues to occupy the land and impoverish most people.
But both Jesus and Luke affirm – as did Daniel – that a coming “Son of Humanity” will
bring God’s reign of justice and well-being near.
Indeed, when these troublesome things happen,
you can be sure that the Son of Humanity and God’s reign of love and care is near.
This morning, I am taking away from all this that
God’s people have always found themselves in the midst of trouble and turmoil –
and that when they do, that is when God is nearest,
that is when God is working hardest to bring redemption and healing.
In Daniel’s time, in Jesus’ time, in Luke’s time: there is trouble.
And every single time, a figure appears who brings God’s gentle rule near.
Ultimately, trouble will come to a complete end.
But in the meantime, we have the promise of God’s presence in the trouble,
bringing healing, bringing relief, bringing peace.
This is a very salutary thing to hear at the beginning of a new year.
Maybe that is why we always hear it!
It seems a strange thing to hear on the First Sunday of Advent:
when we want to celebrate new beginnings,
we seem to just hear about the same old troubles!
But that is just the way the good news works:
the good news is good news because it comes in the midst of trouble.
Jesus says, when you hear of all these troublesome things happening,
be assured: God is very near.
God may not prevent the troubles, for whatever reason.
God may not whisk us out of the troubles, for whatever reason.
But, in Jesus, the Son of Humanity, God enters into the very midst of our troubles with us.
And sees us safely through them.
At the beginning of this particular year,
we would all very much like the troubles to just please go away!
Is it comforting that Jesus seems to know just the kind of trouble we are in right now?
In our own context?
He speaks of “distress among nations” –
well, we have had our share of wars and political tumult in the last 12 months.
He speaks of “signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars” –
climate catastrophe, anyone? The darkening of the sky due to raging forest fires?
He speaks of “the roaring of the sea and the waves” –
how about atmospheric rivers and rising oceans?
He speaks of people fainting, literally having their breath taken away – their lives –
by “fear and foreboding” – which is precisely what the global pandemic has done.
And the witness to us, as to his own people, as to Luke’s people,
and as to generations of Christians since
who have found themselves in the midst of trouble is this:
When these things happen, that is when I am near. Watch for me. I will come.
God will restore peace and rule in gentleness.
And one day the trouble will end for good and the peace will last.
When that will come, we do not know.
But we do know that in the current trouble Jesus is near.
And friends: that is enough.
This affirmation comes with some sage advice from Luke:
don’t let trouble paralyse you.
In the midst of trouble, keep doing the things Jesus has called you to do.
Feed the hungry.
Be compassionate to those in need.
Encourage others with the good news.
Forgive those who need forgiveness.
Do whatever you can to protect the vulnerable like refugees.
Share generously what you have.
For people will find the presence of the Son of Humanity in these things.
And Jesus’ words will be found to be true, once again.
So together, let us say, Amen.
Pastor Michael Kurtz
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