As this fifth discourse begins, Jesus has just come out of the magnificent temple in Jerusalem and is foretelling its destruction. As a symbol the Jewish faith, the temple had no match. To suggest, “not one stone will be left here on another” was a dramatic prediction of destruction, but it was only the beginning. It’s hard to read the litany of destruction in this passage without seeing parallels in our own time. Nations rising against nations, famines, and earthquakes: all of these would be “but the beginning of the birth pangs”. And yet, amidst the death and destruction, false prophets, betrayals and lawlessness, Jesus declares that the preaching of the good news of the coming of the kingdom will bring hope of salvation to all who believe.
Keeping hope alive; is that a disciple’s job when chaos and destruction reach into every corner of the world as we know it? Will love for one another keep us safe through even the darkest days?
Lord, we have seen the sky darken and the heard the winds roar; and through all the fear, chaos, and destruction we are still here, grateful to be alive. Guide us as we work to keep the flame of your sustaining love alive in our beloved community and in the world far beyond our walls.
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