Sunday 29 November 2009

Background

In speaking of what Christians call Judgement Day, Jesus tellsthe disciples about signs that will precede the event. Some believethat those signs will happen immediately, a few days or hoursbefore the return of the Son of Man, and thus prepare the world forthis final, ultimate catastrophe. But that does not seem to agreewith what Jesus states in verse 34. He likens the arrival ofJudgement Day to the sudden, unexpected operation of a snare.

In all three versions of end of time (eschatological) discourse (Matthew24:1-51, Mark13:3-37, Luke 21:25-36),watchfulness and the condition of being ready at all times for thecoming of the Son of Man is advised, because the day and the hourare and will remain unknown. Even Jesus himself did not know whenthe time would be (Mark 13:32). Thepast, present, and future are caught up in God's unfoldingplan.

In verses 34-36 Luke's concern is to instruct the disciples aboutwhat their proper concern should be. Much as in Acts 1:6-8, thecounsel is that God has indeed "fixed the times and seasons" by"his own authority" and Jesus' words will endure to theirfulfilment. But in the meantime, Jesus counsels sobriety,watchfulness and prayer.

To Ponder

How can natural events which we can explainscientifically and/or predict (like eclipses, the appearances anddisappearances of stars, earthquakes and comets) be divinesigns?

What do you understand by Jesus saying, "Truly Itell you, this generation will not pass away until all things havetaken place" (verse 32)?

Is the credit crunch, which has caused globalrecession, a divine sign in our time? If so, what would be themessage?