In these last few weeks of the liturgical year, we journey through Luke’s Gospel and seek the face of Jesus.
What are you distracted by? That’s a question underlying our text this week. What is it that draws your attention away from your call to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world? This is not to say that followers of Jesus aren’t allowed to enjoy the beauty and wonder that this world has to offer. Indeed, the Christian life is marked by joy and surrounded by wonder. Even so, like the disciples in our text, we can be distracted by what we see around us and lose sight of our reason for being: to live a life of proclamation and invitation.
While the distraction in our text is about something beautiful, even something of God—the temple itself—Jesus’ discourse tells us that sometimes it is terrible things that distract us. Wars and rebellions can distract us; false prophets or those who claim to represent Jesus but who really don’t, can distract us; natural disasters can distract us. All sorts of things can distract us from lifting up the name of Jesus and living in hope and confidence that indeed God has the whole world in the divine hands.
Luke 21:5-19 (CEB)
5 Some people were talking about the temple, how it was decorated with beautiful stones and ornaments dedicated to God. Jesus said, 6 “As for the things you are admiring, the time is coming when not even one stone will be left upon another. All will be demolished.”
7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will these things happen? What sign will show that these things are about to happen?”
8 Jesus said, “Watch out that you aren’t deceived. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I’m the one!’ and ‘It’s time!’ Don’t follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and rebellions, don’t be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end won’t happen immediately.”
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Nations and kingdoms will fight against each other. 11 There will be great earthquakes and wide-scale food shortages and epidemics. There will also be terrifying sights and great signs in the sky. 12 But before all this occurs, they will take you into custody and harass you because of your faith. They will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will provide you with an opportunity to testify. 14 Make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance. 15 I’ll give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to counter or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed by your parents, brothers and sisters, relatives, and friends. They will execute some of you. 17 Everyone will hate you because of my name. 18 Still, not a hair on your heads will be lost. 19 By holding fast, you will gain your lives.
Consider these questions:
- What are some of the things that district you? From what do they distract you?
- We are all likely to encounter difficult and dark times. How has your faith helped you to hold on during these times? Have you ever felt the presence of God abiding with you during such dark times?
- In the text, Jesus makes a shocking prediction that comes true just 50 years later. How does Jesus use the disciples’ question at the Temple as a teaching moment?
- What do Jesus’ instructions in verses 13-15; 18-19 teach us about the nature and shape of our discipleship?
- What do we learn about God from this passage?
- What do we learn about humanity from this passage?
- How might we be called to engage our community after reading this passage?