Luke 21:19-24: a reflection

19“By your endurance you will win your lives. 20“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. 22For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath to this people. 24They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

In the midst of foretelling coming distress and upheaval, Jesus gives his disciples a word about how they are to come through it: By your endurance you will gain your lives. He does not promise them exemption from the trials ahead, the distress, the upheaval, the hardship; he calls them to endure through it. Endurance, the steady holding on through trial without giving up, is the path by which they will come through and gain their lives.

Notice what Jesus calls for in the face of coming trial: endurance. He does not promise that the disciples would escape the distress; he calls them to endure it, to hold on steadily through it. Endurance is not dramatic; it is the steady, persistent holding on, the refusal to give up, the continuing in faith through hardship that does not quickly end. And it is by this endurance, Jesus says, that they will gain their lives, coming through the trial to the other side.

That call to endurance is one we need, for the trials we face are not always brief, and endurance is often what is required. We may wish for quick deliverance from our trials; but often what God calls us to is endurance, the steady holding on through hardship that does not quickly end. It is not glamorous, but it is the path through. When you are in a trial that does not quickly end, do not despair or give up; endure, holding on steadily in faith, as Jesus called his disciples to do. By endurance you will come through. The steady, persistent holding on through hardship, the refusal to give up though the trial is long, is the path by which you gain your life. Ask God for the endurance to hold on through your trials, not giving up, for by such endurance, Jesus says, you will come through and gain your life.

Lord Jesus, in the midst of foretelling coming distress, you gave your disciples a word about coming through it: by your endurance you will gain your lives. You did not promise them exemption from the trials ahead, but called them to endure through them. Give me that endurance, for the trials I face are not always brief, and endurance is often what is required. I may wish for quick deliverance from my trials; but often what you call me to is endurance, the steady holding on through hardship that does not quickly end. It is not glamorous, but it is the path through. When I am in a trial that does not quickly end, keep me from despairing or giving up; help me endure, holding on steadily in faith, as you called your disciples to do. By endurance I will come through. The steady, persistent holding on through hardship, the refusal to give up though the trial is long, is the path by which I gain my life. Give me the endurance to hold on through my trials, Lord, not giving up, for by such endurance, you say, I will come through and gain my life. Sustain my endurance.