LUKE 21:25-36
YOUR REDEMPTION IS NEAR!
In the name + of Jesus.
We have begun a new church year, marching
into the season of Advent. Advent means
“coming,” and it is easy to think of Jesus’ coming into the world at Christmas
time. We can’t help but think that with
the stores having Christmas displays, with homes decorated for the season, and
with Christmas songs playing some radio stations. The world is already celebrating. The Church, however, waits. We anticipate December 25 not as a deadline
to be met or a goal line to be crossed, but a day when our celebration actually
begins. Until then, the Church
prays. The Church repents and
prepares. And, in fact, we give our
attention to a different coming. And
while it surely approaches, we do not know what day to circle on the calendar
for its arrival. Dear Christians, Jesus
is coming. Your redemption is near!
The picture Jesus paints for his second
coming hardly makes a good image for a Christmas card. It is downright dismal. Perhaps it is even frightening. Jesus says, “And there will be signs in the sun and moon
and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the
roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding
of what is coming on the world. For the
powers of the heavens will be shaken.” (Luke 21:25-26)
Jesus makes it sound like the world will
be falling apart. In fact, it is; but
that should not surprise us. Sin has
corrupted not only mankind, but all creation as well. And when sin comes, so does death. So the world that we live in is dying. It is slowly winding down. Things are going from a state of order to
disorder. We need not be alarmed by any
of this. The evidence has been in front
of us for generations. Every natural
disaster is the result of a sin-corrupted world. All kinds of diseases and mutated genes are
the result of a sin-corrupted world.
While we are thankful for the advances in medicine that can help us deal
with various diseases and disorders, they cannot cure everything. And new medicines are always needed because
genes mutate into new strains of disease.
You need not faint from fear. For
your Lord is coming. Your redemption is
near.
We are often frightened at the idea that
Jesus is coming again and that the world as we know it will be destroyed. We are familiar with this world. We enjoy its blessings. We often regard this world as our home. As a result, we find ourselves loving the
world and everything in it. Like Lot ’s wife, we are not willing to depart from it or see
it destroyed. But St. John
The world will continue to be
ungodly. God’s patience will run
out. The Last Day is coming. And all of the devastation in our world is a sign
that the end is near. But you need not
fear. “When these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your
heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28) The Lord Jesus Christ is coming again to
judge the living and the dead. All will
stand before him. “For [the Last Day] will come upon all who dwell on the face of the
whole earth.” (Luke 21:35) You will
not escape it. You will not miss it.
Usually, the prospect of Judgment Day
scares people, even Christians. After
all, your conscience testifies that your judgment will not be good. You’ve sinned, and you cannot deny it. Fear not.
For the Lord who is coming to judge the living and the dead has already
come for you once. He came to redeem you
from sin. The price of your redemption
was the holy blood and righteous life of God the Son. God became man so that he could die for you
and so that he could conquer death for you.
So Jesus has redeemed you from sin and death. Sin cannot condemn you. Jesus paid for it, and you have been baptized
into Jesus. Death cannot hold you. Jesus nullified it and has made you children
of the resurrection.
When Jesus comes again in a cloud with
power and great glory, many will tremble at the sight of him. They have no answer for their lives. But Jesus answers for you. And he is coming for you. He who conquered death for you will raise you
from the dead. He who ascended to heaven
to prepare a place for you is coming to deliver you to that place. Your redemption is drawing near.
When Jesus does come, he will finally
deliver you to a life that is free from any form of sin or evil. In this world, you know both blessings and
troubles. Jesus is coming to deliver you
to a world that is void of any troubles.
Never again will you know fear or frustration or bitterness or
disappointment or sadness or pain or death.
You will only have blessing and peace and joy and life. These are the kinds of things we pray
for. You do not have to dream about it;
you only have to wait for it. While many
in this world are fearful because the world is falling apart, not so with
you. “When
these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because
your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)
Meanwhile, “…watch yourselves…. Stay awake—that
is, be alert—at all times, praying that
you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place,
and to stand before the Son of Man.
Jesus is coming. Your redemption is near. But until he comes on the Last Day, Jesus
comes to you at this altar. He gives you
his body and blood to sustain you in all of your trials, to strengthen you
against temptation, and to forgive you when you have demonstrated your
weaknesses against these things. This is
where Jesus provides relief from your guilt and redemption for your life. This is where you find your comfort and your
salvation. The feast you enjoy here will
be yours for all eternity.
Your
redemption is near. You will soon be
delivered from demons that taunt and accuse.
You will soon be delivered from a world that deceives and
disappoints. You will be delivered from
all disaster and disease, from all pain and sorrow, from bitterness and rage,
from death and despair. Jesus will bring
you to everlasting joy, uninterrupted peace, and eternal blessings. Lift up your heads. Jesus is coming soon, for it is Advent. Your redemption is near.
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