Opening Prayer:
Creator of all, we thank you for the opportunity to gather in study. Open our minds and hearts. By the power of the Holy Spirit, unite us in faith, hope, and love. Help us to be faithful to the gospel and to walk humbly with you. Grant us your peace as we grow in wisdom and understanding. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Luke 21:5-19 What does Jesus’ promise of “immortality” mean to you?
Our reading is from the last story about Jesus’ teaching in the Temple. He foretells its destruction (“thrown down”, v. 6) – an event then some 40 years in the future. At that time, Roman legions (“armies”, v. 20) surrounded the city. In Jesus’ time, people were concerned about when the world would end, and what signs would indicate “this is about to take place” (v. 7). Jesus begins to answer, in terms drawn from prophetic books (Micah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Joel, vv. 8-11) and brought together in contemporary books (e.g. 2 Esdras). He adds “the end will not follow immediately” (v. 9), and then diverts to issues that matter now: the treatment his followers will receive, and how they should react to it (vv. 12-19). (“The time”, v. 8, is the time chosen by God for the end of the era.) They will be treated as he has been: they will be accused of heresy in “synagogues” (v. 12) and be brought before civil courts (“prisons”).
On these occasions, be yourselves (the word translated “prepare … in advance”, v. 14, literally means practice a gesture or rehearse a dance); take this “an opportunity to testify” (v. 13, to tell the good news). Following Christ entails suffering – betrayal (v. 16) and being “hated” (v. 17). Perseverance under duress will gain you eternal life (v. 19). In vv. 20-27, Jesus combines prophecy (when Jerusalem was invaded, Christians did flee across the Jordan) and more images drawn from prophetic and contemporary books (“desolation”, v. 20; vv. 23-26). We do not know whether to take these images literally or symbolically. Jesus, the “Son of Man” (v. 27), will then come again. True disciples should then “stand up and raise your heads” (v. 28) for you will soon have eternal life (“redemption”). So (vv. 34-36), be prepared for this day, “praying that you may have the strength to escape”, to avoid the fate of the ungodly.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 hat articles of faith are “non-negotiable” for you?
Paul writes to counter the false belief that Christ will come again soon. Writing in Paul’s name, he has asked all members of the church at Thessalonica to pray for him and for those who work with him “so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly” (v. 1), and that they may be rescued from those who oppose God’s ways, especially those who teach falsehoods. God will “strengthen … and guard” (v. 3) members of the community from the Devil. May Christ direct them to love for God and to “the steadfastness of Christ” (v. 5). Now the author orders the members to avoid those who, believing that the era will end soon, “are living in idleness” (v. 6) – probably living off the material support of others and failing to spread Christ’s message. (The Greek suggests that these people are disorderly.) They also fail to adhere to the “tradition”, the teachings handed down from the apostles. Paul (“us”) is proposed as an example to imitate: he had the “right” (v. 9) to be financially supported by the community (thus freeing him to spend all his time spreading the good news) yet he earned his living (as a tentmaker). V. 10b is strong language! It has been reported that those who are idle are in fact “busybodies” (v. 11), disturbing others and meddling in their affairs. If any continue to preach the imminent arrival of Christ or continue to be idle (“do not obey …”, v. 14), avoid them and shame them (perhaps they will see the error of their ways). Even so, love them as members of the community (v. 15).
Closing Prayer
God, our God,
you hear our cry and listen to our prayer.
Grant that we may know that our redeemer lives
and, trusting in you,
be confident that we will not be lost or forgotten.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.