Message of the Month: reading: Luke 21 v 25-36.
If we were asked for 1 word to sum up the last few years many of us might go for ‘unprecedented’.
The question is at the heart of what Jesus is talking about in Luke 21. The chapter opens with people around Jesus admiring the fine construction, architecture and finery of their much-loved Temple. This prompts a discourse in which Jesus moves seamlessly through tribulations that will be experienced, prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem and what to expect in the tension of living in end times yet the kingdom of God is at hand. Three themes which contrast with the apparent immovability and grandeur of the disciples’ prevailing surroundings.
Scholars typically sway between two lines of interpretation – some who believe our passage is about the return of Jesus and others who argue Jesus was talking about what would unfold in no more than 20-30 years because, v 32 ‘This generation will not pass away until all has taken place.’ In the end the focus of Jesus was less on the political and more on the pastoral - to help us grapple with life’s not-yet and unknowns.
To be more specific > the general principle - both in the 1st century and now goes like this: as part of what he taught, Jesus had things to say about what we do not know or can yet see. When that truth grips our hearts and how we structure our thinking it has far-reaching implications to challenge and console us.
The events and circumstances we experience may differ in detail, but the overall background remains the same. Whilst we can learn from those who have gone before us in different periods, the question is sharpened to, how can WE live well amidst the turbulence of the world today? Jesus says:
A) Don’t panic! The instinct of some will be to hunker down, in fear, sometimes denial … Jesus says, v28, ’straighten up and raise your heads …’. Through faith energised by the Holy Spirit and guided by the authority of Scripture, we know enough to see a picture that is clearer and more hopeful than doomsters may offer. As the book of Revelation tells us, we know who wins in the end.
B) Keep the main thing, the main thing! Jesus speaks, v33 of shaking on earth, in the heavens, his own appearance the old order of heaven and earth passing away BUT ‘my words will not pass away.’ Our responsibility is not to change what the Word of God says, means clearly, explain away or sidestep the features we don’t like. Instead, we are to remain faithful, obedient and consistent even when we don’t understand why.
C) We have access to supernatural resources. In verses 34 and 36 are practical responses - keeping our composure and to pray. We don’t have to like what is happening so, and it’s ok to ask Father to be freed from the perils unfolding around us.
If we want to bring this into the here and now and consider the state of the CofE, here are my thoughts:
➢ God has not given up on us!
We may not have experienced such a time as this, but we need not panic because: God is love and in Him is life and light. Where the institution and individuals have conspired with wrongdoing, preferring the darkness of cover-ups, at best doing deals guarded by non-disclosure agreements or nurturing a reluctance to do the right thing … we can see the hand of the Lord shining light into some dark events.
➢ God is sending us out with news of his unfailing and redemptive love.
We may feel embarrassed even ashamed to be part of the Church of England for a while … but as ordinary members and participants, we are not responsible for the state of the institution. It IS for us to keep on doing what is right, acting with mercy and walking humbly before the Lord; whether it is to do with how we handle Holy Scripture, running the business of the churches locally, witnessing to the love kindness and all that is meant by the grace of God to our family friends and neighbours.
➢ God continues to look for people who will collaborate with him and the best place to start is on our knees.
It may well be things will seem to get worse before they get better. If so, there will be some strange and unnerving consequences, expectations and backwash from all we are learning of … Those things will reach us but should not consume us. Instead, it is time to call on God, to pray HE displays afresh His hand of purifying and gracious correction with and among us.
Nigel di Castiglione
Team Rector Advent 2024
If we were asked for 1 word to sum up the last few years many of us might go for ‘unprecedented’.
- a global pandemic;
- a far-reaching cost-of-living crisis;
- war upon war - between Ukraine and Russia and threatening, war again engulfing much of the Middle East;
- disintegration of important and much-admired public services we have been proud of;
- a rapid acceleration in the frequency and type of natural disasters – fire and flooding coming too close to home for many.
- now the disclosure of deep dysfunctionality, chaos, cover-ups and abuse at the heart of the heart of the Church of England.
The question is at the heart of what Jesus is talking about in Luke 21. The chapter opens with people around Jesus admiring the fine construction, architecture and finery of their much-loved Temple. This prompts a discourse in which Jesus moves seamlessly through tribulations that will be experienced, prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem and what to expect in the tension of living in end times yet the kingdom of God is at hand. Three themes which contrast with the apparent immovability and grandeur of the disciples’ prevailing surroundings.
Scholars typically sway between two lines of interpretation – some who believe our passage is about the return of Jesus and others who argue Jesus was talking about what would unfold in no more than 20-30 years because, v 32 ‘This generation will not pass away until all has taken place.’ In the end the focus of Jesus was less on the political and more on the pastoral - to help us grapple with life’s not-yet and unknowns.
To be more specific > the general principle - both in the 1st century and now goes like this: as part of what he taught, Jesus had things to say about what we do not know or can yet see. When that truth grips our hearts and how we structure our thinking it has far-reaching implications to challenge and console us.
The events and circumstances we experience may differ in detail, but the overall background remains the same. Whilst we can learn from those who have gone before us in different periods, the question is sharpened to, how can WE live well amidst the turbulence of the world today? Jesus says:
A) Don’t panic! The instinct of some will be to hunker down, in fear, sometimes denial … Jesus says, v28, ’straighten up and raise your heads …’. Through faith energised by the Holy Spirit and guided by the authority of Scripture, we know enough to see a picture that is clearer and more hopeful than doomsters may offer. As the book of Revelation tells us, we know who wins in the end.
B) Keep the main thing, the main thing! Jesus speaks, v33 of shaking on earth, in the heavens, his own appearance the old order of heaven and earth passing away BUT ‘my words will not pass away.’ Our responsibility is not to change what the Word of God says, means clearly, explain away or sidestep the features we don’t like. Instead, we are to remain faithful, obedient and consistent even when we don’t understand why.
C) We have access to supernatural resources. In verses 34 and 36 are practical responses - keeping our composure and to pray. We don’t have to like what is happening so, and it’s ok to ask Father to be freed from the perils unfolding around us.
If we want to bring this into the here and now and consider the state of the CofE, here are my thoughts:
➢ God has not given up on us!
We may not have experienced such a time as this, but we need not panic because: God is love and in Him is life and light. Where the institution and individuals have conspired with wrongdoing, preferring the darkness of cover-ups, at best doing deals guarded by non-disclosure agreements or nurturing a reluctance to do the right thing … we can see the hand of the Lord shining light into some dark events.
➢ God is sending us out with news of his unfailing and redemptive love.
We may feel embarrassed even ashamed to be part of the Church of England for a while … but as ordinary members and participants, we are not responsible for the state of the institution. It IS for us to keep on doing what is right, acting with mercy and walking humbly before the Lord; whether it is to do with how we handle Holy Scripture, running the business of the churches locally, witnessing to the love kindness and all that is meant by the grace of God to our family friends and neighbours.
➢ God continues to look for people who will collaborate with him and the best place to start is on our knees.
It may well be things will seem to get worse before they get better. If so, there will be some strange and unnerving consequences, expectations and backwash from all we are learning of … Those things will reach us but should not consume us. Instead, it is time to call on God, to pray HE displays afresh His hand of purifying and gracious correction with and among us.
Nigel di Castiglione
Team Rector Advent 2024