Be careful what you put your faith in
Beautiful and serene as this looks, as I stood and watched these paragliders with two feet firmly on the ground, I wondered whether I could be brave enough to do it. Apart from the obvious disadvantage of having to get up the hill, the thought of just launching yourself off into the great expanse of sky seems rather scary! I understand the theory of thermals and parachutes (well perhaps understand is a bit strong, but I know they exist!) – but it’s putting your trust in them that gives the joy of paragliding.
What, or who, you put your faith in is the issue Jesus challenges his followers with in this reading. Comment is made about how beautiful the Temple is. People were always missing the point. Their minds were focussed on the wrong things.
I remember times when I’ve been out preaching, and people have come up to me after the service and said, “We enjoyed the hymns – a good sing”, or “What a lovely dress you were wearing this morning”! Thanks, lovely comments, but you missed the point of the service. Did you hear the sermon?
Jesus is trying to teach them about life, death and resurrection, and they want to talk about the beautiful stones the Temple is built with! The Temple, however beautiful and spectacular is not going to save you. They need to discern between temporary concerns and permanent issues. They need to hear what Jesus has to say to them.
He warns them not to be taken in by people claiming to be him, or to know when ‘the end is nigh’. He knew it would happen, but they are not people to trust. Our end may come today, but that end needs to be faced ready with God. We should trust in him, not in people trying to force the issue. He is the one to stand firm in, if we do that then it doesn’t matter when the end comes, we will be ready.
As Malachi warns, honouring God brings victory, and that is how we should live day by day – not just when we think the end is coming.
So things will happen – good, bad and indifferent. Do we focus on trying to work them out, or on living God’s ways regardless? Shall we gaze at what’s happening, or at Jesus who stands with us and gives us wisdom and salvation?
The day is coming, let’s not worry about when it is, but whether we’re ready.
Pam's Perambulation 