Luke 21:35-36 --- 29 Nov 2009

Luke 21:35-36

‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’

Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’



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Many modern biblical scholars see Jesus as an apocalyptic prophet. Jesus and his early followers believed that the end of the current age, characterized by corruption and evil, was near. In its stead would be the Kingdom of God where the meek, the poor, and the marginalized would experience justice. As Bart Ehrman in “Jesus: Apocalyptic Prophet” puts it:

The Jesus of history, contrary to modern "common sense"...was not a proponent of "family values." He urged his followers to abandon their homes and forsake families for the sake of the Kingdom that was soon to arrive. He didn't encourage people to pursue fulfilling careers, make a good living, and work for a just society for the long haul; for him, there wasn't going to be a long haul. The end of the world as we know it was already at hand. The Son of Man would soon arrive, bringing condemnation and judgement against those who prospered in this age, but salvation and justice to the poor, downtrodden, and oppressed. People should sacrifice everything for his coming, lest they be caught unawares and cast out of the Kingdom that was soon to arrive.

Apocalyptic thinking is still with us. The best selling “Left Behind” series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins is an imaginative 20th century narrative reading of 1st century Christian apocalyptic thought.

How do people like us see signs that the end might be near? Are we concerned that perhaps our way of life, the security we take for granted, the privileges we have as educated, well off, 21st century Americans may not last? Do we deserve all that we have? What would distributive justice look like for us? What if the poor, the meek, the downtrodden did inherit the earth?

This Thanksgiving eve I am thankful that my wife and I have enough, and I am mindful that not everyone does.

Happy Thanksgiving

George