Lectionary for Pentecost 23
Stand upright and hold your heads high, because your liberation is near. Luke 21:28
Collect. Almighty God, whose sovereign purpose none can make void: give us faith to be steadfast amid the tumults of this world, knowing that your kingdom shall come and your will be done, to your eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Reading. Isaiah 12. By prophecy God speaks through his Spirit to his people. Prophecy is not like a promise. Once a promise is fulfilled and the promised gift is received its time has passed. A prophecy remains as a message from God. Think of the prophecy that a Messiah would come. With the birth of Christ the prophecy was fulfilled yet still remains for the message informs us constantly of the action and nature of God. In our reading for today Isaiah declares to the nation a prophecy for the future. (You will say in that day!).
In the previous chapter Isaiah has announced by prophecy that a Messiah would come and usher in a great season of peace along with a great gathering in of the scattered tribes of Israel. (We have noted before that by the time of Isaiah the kingdom of Israel was in exile and the kingdom of Judah was about to be overrun by Babylon) Isaiah’s prophecy is for a future time when a great restoration would occur. This time would see a time when the people of God would recognise their failure to be obedient and at the same time receive God’s full forgiveness. The salvation that God offers will strengthen them to live out a life free from fear, trusting fully in the power and strength of God to provide a life of peace and harmony. This is Isaiah’s vision of what the future holds for God’s people following the advent of Messiah.
When Isaiah first announced this message it would have been hard at first to take it all in for the disaster and doom which surrounded the nations was dire. However the nation had a history of knowing that God could do mighty things in order to rescue his people. Thus, drawing on both the shared history they had and a new vision proposed by Isaiah it would have been a great message of hope. On the one hand God’s anger, which they knew had caused their demise as a unified kingdom would be replaced with his loving care, bringing a time of comfort and restoration. With the acceptance of God’s forgiveness comes the response of thanksgiving for it is a recognition that God is once more in charge of the nations and under his control all will be well.
Isaiah’s prophecy also reminds the people that they have a part to play in this wholesome fulfilment in that they will draw water from this well of salvation. God is offering his salvation but they have to accept it through obedience. Once more they will be God’s faithful people, a people filled with joy continually in the presence of the Holy God.
Prayer. Lord of all, you are a very present help in times always faithful and true, yet we also recognise that often we feel alone and anxious about the future. Forgive us Lord that we so easily turn away from your truth and your guidance and follow our own schemes and designs. Forgive us for always wanting to be in control, thinking that we know what is best for us. Forgive us when we fail to trust you and yet expect you to rescue us when all else fails. Help us to turn to you first and to find patience and strength to wait on you as you supply the answers which fulfil us and all others. Trusting in you, may we support each other in the challenges we face. Lord fill us all with wisdom to see you at work and faithful to follow as you direct. May we be fruitful in our walk with you and so bring honour and praise to you. This we ask through Jesus our Saviour. Amen
Reading. Luke 21:5-19. In this reading from Luke we have two themes running side by side. Our attention is drawn firstly to the destruction of the temple and then there is the return of Christ and the fulfilment of the new age.
For centuries the temple had been the centre of Jewish religion and ritual. It reminded the people of the presence of God among them. At the time of Jesus the temple had been restored and extended by Herod as he tried to consolidate his kingship. The historian Josephus has a vivid description of the temple. A huge building plated on the outside with sheets of gold and what was not covered with gold was polished stone. It was a dazzling sight, so brilliant that in sunlight the eyes could not bear to look directly at it. Josephus said that from a distance it looked like a snow capped mountain. Placed on top of a hill it represented the very foundation of the Jewish people and their religious identity. When Jesus prophesied that it would be destroyed it would have been shocking news. However it was the destruction of the temple which would signal the return of Christ in triumph.
In answer to the question of when all these things will occur, Jesus warned his disciples that between the destruction of the temple and his return would be a dangerous time for there would be many false messiahs and it would be easy to be led astray by them. His advice was to be faithfully vigilant but not terrified for that time of danger was also a part of God’s unfolding plan. The time of danger would not only include persecution and violent opposition but also violent natural events that would shake the whole earth.
Despite the dangers this time would be a great opportunity in which to witness to the victorious return of the Lord Jesus. The text highlights a seemingly apparent contradiction that “they will put some of you to death” yet at the same time, “not a hair of your head will perish”. This reassures the believers that Jesus brings with him resurrection to eternal life, for death has been conquered in the age which his return will signal. Underlining it all is the final sentence that Luke records, by standing firmly by our faith we will endure through to the final victory.
God says: I am about to create a new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating. Isaiah 65:17-18
Prayer. Almighty God we offer you our thanks and praise for in obedience your Son Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost. Grant that our prayer and ministry will be to work with him, witnessing to his great salvation and love. Increase in us the power of your Holy Spirit so that we may accomplish what is your will and purpose. May we persevere with endurance, walking in faith and trust in your Son, despite all the setbacks that daily living presents. So by your grace may we be ready to receive Christ with great joy when he returns to reign in glory. This we ask in his name and for his sake. Amen.
Collect. Our times are in your hand, O God, even though nations may fall, and mortals perish; give us the courage to trust you, and to look for the day when your will may be done on earth; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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