Panic

Luke 21:5-19 (The Message)

5-6 One day people were standing around talking about the Temple, remarking how beautiful it was, the splendor of its stonework and memorial gifts.

Jesus said, "All this you're admiring so much—the time is coming when every stone in that building will end up in a heap of rubble."

7 They asked him, "Teacher, when is this going to happen? What clue will we get that it's about to take place?"

8-9 He said, "Watch out for the doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, 'I'm the One,' or, 'The end is near.'

Don't fall for any of that.

When you hear of wars and uprisings, keep your head and don't panic.

This is routine history and no sign of the end."

10-11 He went on, "Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Huge earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines.

You'll think at times that the very sky is falling.

12-15 "But before any of this happens, they'll arrest you, hunt you down, and drag you to court and jail. It will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name.

You'll end up on the witness stand, called to testify. Make up your mind right now not to worry about it. I'll give you the words and wisdom that will reduce all your accusers to stammers and stutters.

16-19 "You'll even be turned in by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends.

Some of you will be killed.

There's no telling who will hate you because of me.

Even so, every detail of your body and soul—even the hairs of your head!—is in my care; nothing of you will be lost. Staying with it—that's what is required.

Stay with it to the end.

You won't be sorry; you'll be saved.

This section of Luke begins Jesus' speech known as the "little apocalypse."

But any talk about the end of the world doesn't seem too "little," does it?

Somehow, these kinds of scriptures often make us afraid. We fear the change that scripture predicts will some day come. We know, intellectually, that the "things of this earth are passing away," but right now they sure do seem like the most stable, unchanging things in our lives.

Jesus' prediction about the destruction of the temple would happened just about 40 years later.

History is marked by terrible occurrences, by genocide and chaos. Our own lives have been witness to 9/11, war and turmoil.

Is it time for "the end?" Is it time to panic?

Not according to Jesus.

The irony of this scripture is that it is intended to calm, not upset. Jesus is reminding us that his followers have no reason to panic...not even in the face of death.

He gives us assurance that no matter what...he will give us the right words...the stamina...the courage that we need.

It is here that we learn that God cares for "ever detail of our bodies and soul, even the hair on our head!" "Nothing," Jesus says, "nothing of you will be lost."

Recently, several good friends asked me to show them how scripture should help us not to be afraid. Why shouldn't Christians panic if they think the world is turning away from God?

Because in this scripture, Jesus tells us plainly not to fear. We walk in his strength, and that strength cannot be overcome.

Prayer: God our Father, may we walk in your strength today. May perfect love cast out fear in our lives, communities and world.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.