Luke 21:25–36

December 19 2012 Midweek 3 Sermon

²⁵"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, ²⁶people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." ²⁹And he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. ³⁰As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. ³¹So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. ³²Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. ³³Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. ³⁴"But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. ³⁵For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." (Luk 21:25 ESV)

Sermon

You may know the scene from the movie The Terminator. It's a late night in a quiet and calm police station. A large man walks in the front door wearing a leather coat and leather pants. He looks tough. He looks menacing. He glances around the station. The sergeant at the desk asks him what he wants. He's greeted with silence. The visitor glances around again and promises he will return. Soon the police station is filled with mayhem and destruction as the visitor returns by smashing through the front of the station in an automobile.

Somewhat like a Scene from The Terminator,

Jesus Will Return.

I.

When the Bible speaks of Jesus' return, of Jesus' second coming, it does sometimes seem a little like this scene from The Terminator. The second coming will be a time of mayhem, terror, and power. St. Luke tells us in our text, "There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken" (vv 25–26).

When Jesus comes back on Judgment Day, there will be mayhem and destruction. The judge of all mankind will return, and no one will escape his judgment. Judgment will come due to man's sin. Luke tells us, "Watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth" (vv 34–35).

The trap spoken of is a trap to catch and destroy animals. The sin of mankind, our sin, brings judgment and destruction. One cannot help but be reminded of perhaps the most famous sermon ever preached outside of those recorded in Scripture, this one preached some 270 years ago by Jonathan Edwards. It was entitled "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."

Whether or not our world today takes sin seriously, God does and so should we. Luke tells us, "But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man" (v 36). Look around us today. Sin is covered up and even renamed to make it seem less evil than it is. It is no longer murder; it is "termination of pregnancy." It is not adultery; it is "sexual freedom." It is not perversion; it is "alternate lifestyle." It is not turning our backs to God; it is being "open-minded" or "politically correct." And all the above is being shoved down our throats these days as "normal."

And lest we simply point fingers at others, what about us in the Church? Is "church" a priority or a pastime? Is "church" a commitment or a convenience? Are the treasures of our Christian faith and the treasure that is "Jesus", being passed on to the next generation, or are we following the lead of our godless neighbors? Judgment Day is coming for all people, believers and unbelievers. Again Luke reminds us, "For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth" (v 35).

However, we can be thankful that Jesus' return is not just a scene from The Terminator nor will it be just like. It will be a blessed time for those who have trusted Jesus and repented of their sin. Luke tells us, "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (v 27). Power we have discussed. What about this "great glory"?

Time after time in Holy Scripture, God's glory is connected to his love for his people, his forgiveness for his people, and his deliverance for his people. Jesus himself prays these words in Gethsemane's garden just before his crucifixion, "And now, Father, glorify me" (Jn 17:5). This glory Jesus speaks of is the glory of God to be seen on the cross and at the empty tomb as Jesus defeats the powers of sin, death, and the devil. This victory and redemption is the same victory and redemption Jesus will bring at Judgment Day for all who belong to him. God's redemption is God's glory! Luke tells us that Judgment Day will be a good day. He says, "When these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (v 28).

We can lift up our heads. When Jesus our Savior returns, it will be time to lift up our heads with joy! He has come back for us, just as he promised. Our redemption has drawn near. Our Redeemer has drawn near. Jesus our Redeemer who died on the cross for our sins, rose from the grave in victory, he has returned to bring us to heaven.

He said he would be back and, as he always does, he kept his word.

When a friend of mine bought his first car, he was so happy he could barely contain his anticipation. He bought it late one night, and the paperwork still had to be completed. The dealer put this sign on the windshield: "This car belongs to Steven." He had to wait a few days before he could pick it up. But he came back late the next night after the dealership was closed. He looked at the car, touched it, dreamed of all he would do with it. He said aloud to the car, "I paid for you yesterday. I'll be back for you tomorrow."

This, in effect, is what Jesus says to each of us: "I paid for you yesterday. I'll be back for you tomorrow." Yesterday at the cross, our sins were paid for, and we were purchased for God. At your Baptism the sign was placed on you, "This person belongs to Christ." Tomorrow at Judgment Day, Jesus will return for you and for me, and we will be his forever.

A pastor I know tells a story about a car he saw one day while driving home. He's sure it was the ugliest car he had ever seen. If you looked up the word ugly in the dictionary, you'd find a picture of this car. It had a large gash on its side. One of the doors was held together with wire. Several body parts were quite rusted. He couldn't tell the original color of the car. Between the rust and multiple paint jobs, any one of several color options could have been the first coat. The most interesting thing about the car, though, was the bumper sticker. As if to be sure there would be no misunderstanding, it said: "This is not an abandoned car."

A long time ago, a baby was born in a manger. He was the Savior of the entire world. He was a sign to us, a sign that reads "This is not an abandoned world." We, as Christians, are not an abandoned people. We have the promise of forgiveness from our Lord and the promise that he will return. Jesus will be back. You can count on it!

In the name of Jesus. Amen.