“Perilous times ahead”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Sunday, August 14, 2022
Luke 12:49-56 (Forward, p. 16) CEV p. 1078
Jesus is warning His followers that perilous times lay ahead, both for them and for He Himself, but in some ways every age and society has always faced perilous times of some sort or another. The Roman Empire faced this with the corruption in Rome, the over-extension of the empire, and the threat of barbaric invasions. The Middle Ages faced this with its constant wars and Black Death as the plague was known. More recently, we had two world wars and the Great Depression, and now we have the Covid 19 pandemic, increased domestic and international instability, war and sabre rattling, and the accumulative impacts of global warming.
So, what is Jesus telling His audience—and us—about such times?
a) First off, He mentions that He must suffer greatly before things are finished and done with. Certainly, this refers to the Cross, but I also wonder about His suffering, His suffering even now, on behalf of the Church and on behalf of the world.
b) Secondly, He warns us that His coming inevitably forces people to make decisions and choose sides, and that these choices may well divide even households and family members and cause them to turn against each other. (We have certainly seen this in Muslim, Jewish and Hindu families, but also in families that have other faith traditions or do not have much of a faith background at all). In other words, as much as we like to gloss over this, there will inevitably be a cost to following Jesus.
c) Thirdly, He tells us that we are to be aware. Just as we are rather adept at reading the signs weather-wise, we should also learn how to read ‘the signs of the times.’ And that means that we are to be wise and expedient, making good choices and making the best of the time and opportunities that we have. Here He uses the example of a legal suit, some legal proceedings, telling His disciples to act while there is still time, but His words could well apply to many, many situations and issues that are time sensitive. We need to act, as the saying goes, ‘while the iron’s hot’, while the conditions are most amenable.
Jesus tells us about all these things, not to worry us or panic, but, on one hand, to prepare us and to set our minds at rest when we see these things begin to take place. On the other hand, He doesn’t want us to become so fixated on these things, so pre-occupied with them, that we forget to live our normal ay-to-day lives, make good choices, and continue with the responsibilities that He has already given us. And, fortunately, we can know that in all this, He is still here and still able to help us through it. Amen.
Forward notes: “Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” (verse 15)
“Years ago, we visited out-of-town friends and heard an inexperienced preacher tackle this very verse. Afterward, the congregation, restless and uncomfortable, left hurriedly. At home, our husbands walked outside with the children, and my friend and I talked about the gospel while making lunch. What finally brought all of us peace was sitting down to a meal and breaking bread together.
“In truth, there is division everywhere. We can see the storm and feel the heat, but we do not always sense God’s presence. Christ brought division between those who saw who he really was and those who didn’t. Some were healed; others sought to take his life.
“The good news is that even division can bring unity. The fire of discussion can make us rethink our actions and opinions if we open our hearts and minds. Jesus shows us that God’s presence was with him, even on the cross. His presence is with us too, always.”
MOVING FORWARD: “In a world that seems increasingly divided, how does this verse speak to you today? Can you see hope in division?”
