[This sermon is based on the Gospel lesson for this coming Sunday, December 1, 2024, the First Sunday of Advent. Congregations without pastors or whose pastors are unable to deliver sermons this week may feel free to use it if you find it helpful.]
The Gospel Lesson: Luke 21:25-36
During a recent eleven-day stay at a hospital in Rouen, France, one of my nurses keyed words in her native French onto the Google Translate app of her smartphone, then told me in English, “You’re too brave. You should cry.” Her words were kind and I didn’t feel brave. But I knew this was not a time for crying.
I was in the hospital because I had acquired salmonella bacteria somewhere in England. By the time we arrived in France for a river cruise, I was sick. I got sicker over the next three days. I became severely dehydrated, my kidneys shut down, the defibrillator in my chest was activated, and, at one point, I collapsed in our bathroom. I was only sporadically aware of my surroundings when I was taken by ambulance to a major hospital. I was aware enough to know how hard all of this was on my wife, that my earthly life hung in the balance, and that I needed to pray.
I didn’t cry though. The reason was simple. By the power of God’s life-saving Word about Jesus Who died and rose for sinners like me, by this Word that gives me the holy gifts of repentance and faith in Christ, I know who I belong to. I know that Jesus had once uttered a Word from the cross that applies to me as much as it did to the crowds who growled for His death on Good Friday, as much as it applies to you: “Father, forgive them [forgive him, forgive her], for they do not know what they are doing.” I didn’t cry because I know that Jesus is the Savior Who has erased the power of sin and death over sinners like me. And like all believers in Jesus, I can say with Saint Paul, “there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8) I didn’t cry because I knew–I know–through the faith in Jesus God has given to me through Word and Sacrament, that Jesus, crucified and risen, has accounted this sinner righteous in the eyes of God. I have been made fit by Christ Himself, to live with God forever. With that old Easter hymn, I can say, that in Jesus Who fought to save me at cross and empty tomb, “The strife is o’er, the battle done; Now is the Victor’s triumph won! Now be the song of praise begun. Alleluia!”
The Gospel lesson for this First Sunday of Advent, finds Jesus with His disciples during Holy Week. A short time before, Jesus had cleansed the temple of extortionists who exploited people who had come to worship and offer sacrifices to God. Not long after the events recounted in today’s lesson, Jesus will be arrested, tried, and nailed to a cross for our sins, then rise from the dead to set believers eternally free of sin, death, and condemnation. At this moment though, Jesus is talking with the disciples.
One of them has commented on how beautiful the temple is. But Jesus tells the disciples that soon–in an event which we know happened in 70 AD–the temple, where people repeatedly offered sacrifices for their sins, would be destroyed. The temple, of course, would no longer be necessary because Jesus is the one perfect sacrifice that destroys the hold of sin and death over us; all who trust in Jesus have everlasting reconciliation and life with God. But the temple was such a central part of the lives of good Jews like Jesus’ first disciples that, shocked, they asked, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” (Luke 21:7)
Jesus proceeds to tell the disciples about all the events and circumstances that will surround the destruction of the temple. Soon though, Jesus shifts to a discussion of the events and circumstances that will surround the end of the heavens and the earth of this creation.
This old creation exists under a death sentence. When Adam and Eve, our ancestors, fell into sin, they ushered chaos, death, and darkness not just into the lives of each of us, all of whom will one day die, but into the whole created order God once made in love for us.
And so Jesus tells the disciples and us that, “there will be signs in 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) Some will try to brave it out or laugh it off. But in the end, all who place their hopes in what this dying creation has to offer will cry. The end of this universe and the ends of their lives will give rise to grief and tears.
Their sadness and grief will only be heightened when they see, as all people then living will and as all called out of their graves by Jesus will, what Jesus says will come next at the end of this cosmos. “And then,” Jesus says, “they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:27)
At that moment, for many, the crying will really begin. Why? Because, having refused to take seriously Jesus’ call to repent, that is, to turn away from sin–away from putting their hope in anything or anyone other than God, away from honoring God’s holy name, away from joining God’s people and gladly hearing His Word, away from honoring parents and those in authority, away from cherishing others’ lives, away from reserving sexual intimacy for the beds of husbands and wives, away from respecting the property and reputations of others–after refusing to repent, then refusing to trust in Jesus for forgiveness, hope, and life, they will know they stand naked before God in their sin. They will know there is no hope for them, no one to go to bat for them as Jesus pronounces their sentence: “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness…” (Matthew 7:23)
But for those who have welcomed Jesus, at the baptismal font, at the Communion table, in the Word proclaimed, taught, and shared, Jesus’ coming at the end of this world will be a time of rejoicing.
They will eagerly crane their necks to see their Savior Jesus Who will tell them–Who will tell you, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)
And then you, dear saint, who by the power of Jesus, the Word of God made flesh, believe in Him as your Lord, God, and King, you will be ushered into the new heaven and the new earth, and incorruptible and indestructible eternal kingdom in which God will wipe every tear from your eye and where sin, and death, and slights, and arguments, and wars, and pain will be no more!
This creation will be burnt and dissolved, but you who believe will be forever new in the presence of the One Who made you and died for you and rose for you.
And so, as we watch this world lurch toward its end point and as we ourselves age and decay, Jesus says, “when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28) Whether any given day is your best day or your worst day, Christian, you can hold your heads up and hope because even now, you are one day closer to seeing Jesus. And then, you will see the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to you: “the one who endures [the one who daily repents, daily turns to Jesus, daily receives forgiveness and new life through Jesus, the one who endures] to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)
What a promise! Don’t yield to anxiety and fear. Hold your heads high, pray, and watch. Jesus is coming and all will be well.
Jesus tells you today: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Luke 21:33) And the Savior Jesus, by His death and resurrection, shows you that His promise is true…and that it is true for you.
Amen!
