Scripture Daily

Context No. 4161 of 4322 · Luke

Context · Reflection

Luke 21:25-33: in context

25“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves; 26men fainting for fear and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28But when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.” 29He told them a parable. “See the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near. 31Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that God’s Kingdom is near. 32Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.

Jesus describes a time of shaking and distress, signs in the heavens, nations in anguish, people fainting with fear at what is coming on the world. And then, at the climax, the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But to his people, in the midst of all this shaking, Jesus gives a startling instruction: when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

Where others faint with fear, God's people are to look up in hope. Two things stand out. The believer's posture in troubled times is not fear but hopeful expectation. When the world is shaken and people are terrified, those who belong to Christ can lift their heads, because the very upheavals that frighten the world are, for them, signs that their redemption is near. And the sure anchor in all uncertainty: heaven and earth will pass away, Jesus says, but my words will never pass away. Everything else may be shaken and pass, but Christ's word stands forever.

When the world around me is shaken and others faint with fear, do I lift my head in hope, knowing my redemption draws near, and rest my confidence on the words of Christ, which will never pass away though heaven and earth do?

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