“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”  Matthew 24:9-14

Jesus continued to answer the questions of the disciples: When will the end of the world happen? What will be the signs? The signs, Jesus said, will be very hard on us. People will turn away from the Christian faith. Christians will be hated by people because of their faith. False prophets will appear and lead many away from the truth of God’s Word. As the end of time approaches ungodliness will increase as the love of God in people’s hearts decreases.
 
All of these signs were already evident within years – almost within months – of Jesus' death and resurrection. The disciples later understood, as we should, that the end times began when Jesus left the earth at his ascension into heaven. From that time, up to the present, and into the future until the actual Last Day – these are the end times. Yes, we are living in them now.
 
But we still have work to do. Jesus also told the disciples that "the gospel...will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations." There’s hardly a region on earth that hasn't had some contact with the gospel in the past two thousand years. Although this sign is already completed (or very close to being completed), that doesn't mean we should stop reaching out with the message of salvation. There are people near each one of us who need Jesus. The end itself may happen at any time, "like a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2). But when it does, we want to have brought as many people as we could to the cross of Jesus Christ.

The message of Jesus is the power that brings people to faith in him as their Savior and keeps them firm in that faith so that they are prepared to meet their Lord when the end finally does come. That's why we say with the Apostle Paul, "Pray that I might proclaim it clearly, as I should." (Colossians 4:4).

Lord Jesus, take away any fear that I have about the end of the world and the circumstances that lead up to it.  Lead me to trust in your promises to guard me in my faith and guide me on my way to the glory of eternal life that you have won for me by your death and resurrection.  Help me to share the message of your salvation with people that I know.  Amen. 

In the verses we have for our devotion today, first Jesus is speaking about terrible times that will overcome people living in Jerusalem and the surrounding region.  His reference is probably to the destruction of Jerusalem by Roman legions that took place about 40 years after Jesus ascended into heaven.

His advice for people living in Jerusalem when that horrific event comes was to flee for their lives.  They shouldn’t even take the time to retrieve personal possessions from their homes.  They should just run as fast and as far as they can.  For that reason it would be especially difficult for pregnant women and nursing mothers. 

But Jesus’ warning about the destruction of Jerusalem also points to the end of the world which will be ushered in by times of great distress, too.  In fact, Jesus says that the stress of those final days will be so great that no one would survive.  But in mercy God will cut that time short so that his faithful people are not overcome by the evil times. 
 
Through it all, we must remember that there is no human power that can rescue us from the destruction at the end of the world.  We can’t run fast enough or get away far enough to escape it.  Our only hope is Jesus. He suffered and died to free us from the fear of facing the final day of God’s judgment.   He rescued us from the eternal destruction that we were headed for because of our sin.  He is our Savior through whom we have peace and joy with God – even in these last days..

Calm my heart, Jesus, with the comfort of your love.  Take away my fears with the assurance of your salvation and your promise of life eternal with God.   Help me live in hope and joy by faith in you as my dear Savior.  Amen.

Our Lowly Bodies

The Lord Jesus Christ…will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.  Philippians 3:20

A handful of you will live your lives free from serious illness or injury. And when you die, you will die quietly in your sleep. For the rest of us, however, it’s simply a matter of time before each of us experiences the hard truth that our bodies are frail, weak and lowly vessels.

All it takes is one nasty bacterium, one malignant cell, one stubborn virus. All it takes is a second of inattention behind the wheel or a moment of distraction at the worksite, and before you know what’s happening, you find yourself lying in a hospital bed with barely enough strength to sit up. It’s then that you understand how vulnerable your body really is. And if you manage to avoid all this, there is always the slow-motion collision your body has with old age.

No matter how fit we are, no matter how strong or athletic or vigorous we are, the bodies we have are still lowly bodies. They are lowly and weak because of sin.

When the Son of God entered our time and space, he took on a human body; he became a human being. In that body he lived a sinless life on our behalf. Then he allowed sinners to nail his body to a cross. On that cross, Jesus’ body carried the sins of the whole world and paid for them in full. And three days later Jesus rose from death, his body glorified.

What does this mean for us? God’s Word says that “the Lord Jesus Christ…will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Remember this when you look in the mirror and see your frailty. Remember this when you’re lying on a hospital bed. Remember this when you feel too weak to leave your home. Remember this when the body of a beloved Christian wears out and dies.

In this fallen world, our bodies are lowly bodies. But for the Christian, the world to come will be different. God’s Word says so.

Sustain us, Lord, as we grapple with our lowly bodies in this fallen world. Thank you for your promise to transform our lowly bodies to be like yours. Amen.

Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.”  Jeremiah 26:12,13

What do you do when your child runs out into a busy street?  Do you ignore it?  Of course not.  When you see your child run into that busy street, you call her back.  You call her back because you love her.

Our heavenly Father loves us perfectly.  When we sin against him, he calls us back because he knows that sin is always harmful to us.  At first, sin may seem fun, just like playing in a busy street might seem fun at first.  But as long as we play in the street of sin, we are in danger of losing our life – our eternal life.  So, loving Father that he is, God calls us to repentance. 

God has always done this for his people.  In Old Testament times he sent prophets like Jeremiah to call his people to repentance.  Jeremiah told the people of his day, “Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the LORD your God.  Then the LORD will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.”  However, instead of heeding God’s warning, the people wanted to put Jeremiah to death.

What will you do when God sends his messenger to warn you about your sin?  He may use a friend, a family member, or a pastor.  Will you attack the messenger rather than listening to the message?  Will you say something like, “Who are you to tell me what to do?  You’re not so perfect yourself!” 

We pray that God forgive us for the times we have not listened to his messengers when they have warned us about our sin.  We pray for God to help us turn from our sin when he calls us to repentance.  And we pray that God grant us the confidence to know that when we turn back to him, he is waiting with open arms and a forgiving heart..

Lord Jesus, your death on the cross has paid for my sin.  May this truth give me confidence to turn from my sin, knowing that when I do, you will be there to welcome me with open arms.  Amen.

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.  Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?  I tell you, no!  But unless you repent, you too will all perish.  Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them – do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?  I tell you, no!  But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”  Luke 13:1-5

Should God see things the same way I do?  I might be tempted to think he should.  Really bad people should be punished more severely.  Really good people should be awarded more generously.  There is only one problem.  When I try to make God into something that makes sense to me, I make God out to be someone that he is not.

The Lord needs to see things from his perspective, and then, act accordingly.  This was Jesus’ point when he addressed those who had questions about the people who experienced tragedies.  The obvious conclusion was that they must have done something really bad to suffer in this way.  Jesus corrects this faulty observation by returning to God’s perspective.

Jesus used words that were simple and direct.  Don’t worry about those who died, rather worry about yourself.  His concluding words were emphatic:  “Repent or perish.”  Jesus offered God’s perspective in a “nutshell.”  He doesn’t fret about who is better or worse.  He doesn’t agonize over which sin is greater or lesser.  His perspective is to the point:  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 6:23).

God’s perspective is what I need to take to heart.  Instead of worrying if others are really bad, or if they are worse than I am, I need to recognize my personal accountability.  I need to be in a right relationship with God.  I also need to understand its God’s perspective that I be perfect (Matthew 5:48).  God accepts nothing less.

The only way I can be declared perfect is through Jesus.  As I repent of my sin, I need to draw on the holiness he secured for me through his perfect life, his innocent death, and his victorious resurrection.  Then, and only then, can I stand before God as he desires.

Repent or perish.  Looking at my life from God’s perspective is terrifying.  It leaves no room for alternatives or arguments.  This is exactly the way God intended it, and it makes me recognize the undeniable truth:  I am powerless to change my sinful situation;  I am incapable of attaining the perfection God demands; I am in desperate need of a Savior.  Mercifully, God provided that Savior by sending his Son, Jesus Christ.  As I repent of my sin and look to him for forgiveness, I will not perish, but I will have eternal life.

O gracious Lord, open my eyes to see my sin and guilt.  Then, point me to the Savior you have provided. Purify me and make me yours for this life, and for eternal life.  Amen!

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