One Year Bible - February 1
Scriptures to read:
Luke 23:1-25; Genesis 41; Psalm 32
So glad I was assigned the simple chapter of Luke 21. Said no one ever. Here we have Jesus’ prophetic words about the coming tribulation which double as both the anticipation of the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 and the future events preceding Jesus’ return. I will focus on the latter: prophecy for the end of the age.
As an avid hunter for memes, I have bumped into several “Revelation” jokes about our current climate. Fair enough. We have a pandemic, political violence, economic collapse, chronic destruction by fire etc… Mind you, these correlations made by many point to a literal reading of Revelation which is born more out of a problematic diet of the Left Behind series and the Late Great Planet Earth than thoughtful scholarship. But the point still stands. Jesus does say the events of this magnitude do point to the nearing of Jesus’ return. He specifically warns against making exact predictions and yet he does teach us how to live and think when in cosmic birth pains. I will focus on two.
Jesus says, number one, to anticipate the redemption soon to come. Patiently endure. Patience is not a passive state of being, but an active perseverance in hope and faith. We can hold fast in this perseverance because we know Jesus will return in power and glory to set all things right.
We are also to watch and pray. Just like in the parable of the sower, the pleasures and anxieties of the world can cause us to drift away, numb, or simply distract ourselves. We are up against the world, the flesh, and the devil keeping us from staying awake and in prayer as we anticipate Christ’s sudden return.
It is a scary, sad, and traumatic time. Current events are a mockery of God’s good creation. They are not his original intent for creation and he grieves with us, but Jesus will come and make things right. Let us persevere (my dad’s favorite word) and stay in watchful prayer.
Memory Verse: The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. - Luke 21:33
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us endure suffering by holding fast to hope in your justice and healing to come. And keep us watchful and faithful in prayer. Come, Lord Jesus, come.
