First
Sunday of Advent (C) –
Luke
21:25-36
Imperatives
of Discipleship – Watch!
Focus
Question: What
are you watching and waiting for this Advent season?
word
of
life
“Be
on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down ….” Luke
21:34 (NRSV)
Read
Luke 21:25-36
Happy
New Year! No, this greeting is not one month early. This Sunday
begins the new church year with the first Sunday in Advent.
- How do you observe and celebrate a new year?
- How might you observe and celebrate the new church year?
Advent
has often been understood as a time of anticipation of and
preparation for Christmas. Certainly we do look forward to the
celebration of the coming of Christ enfleshed in the birth in
Bethlehem. But Advent is also a time to remember, anticipate, and
prepare for the promised coming of Christ at the end of time.
And
so we begin the church year with Jesus’ teaching about the end of
all years – the promised and anticipated coming of Christ at the
end of the world.
The
verses for today from Luke’s Gospel are a part of what is known as
“apocalyptic” literature. The word “apocalypse” means “to
reveal” or “to unveil.” The literature is mysterious and
filled with signs, symbolism, and hidden meaning; and it often is
interpreted as teachings about the end of the world. (Perhaps the
most well-known example of apocalyptic literature is the last book of
the Bible – the Revelation of John.)
The
early first-century church believed that Jesus would return in glory
as he had promised at the Ascension. (“Jesus, who has been taken
from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go
into heaven.” Acts 2:11 NRSV) The early followers of Jesus
anticipated this “second coming” to occur in their lifetime.
(See 1 Thessalonians 3:13.) They were to live lives of
faithfulness, anticipating Christ’s victorious, glorious return.
- What images come to mind when you think of the end of the world?
- Are these comforting or disturbing images?
- Do you think the Bible gives clear signs of the beginning of the end?
As
many of the first followers of Jesus began to die and Christ had not
yet returned, the early church faced a crisis in faith. How does
one live faithfully “in the in-between time”? It is a question
the followers of Jesus are to ask yet today.
Jesus
speaks of signs of the beginning of the end – natural occurrences,
as well as confusion and distress among nations. People throughout
history have tried to identify these signs and predict the time of
the ending of the world. But Jesus is not concerned about when
these events will occur. He emphasizes the meaning
of these signs – “your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke
21:28 NRSV) Jesus encourages his followers to be watchful, alert,
and ready, always anticipating the coming of Christ.
- What does it mean to live expectantly, anticipating the coming of Christ?
- What difference does this attitude make for living in the “here and now”?
word
among us
You
might have already heard it. Its melody is sung and played every
year at about this time. Its lyrics speak a message of anticipation
and expectation. It has also been used as a strategy for eliciting
good behavior from little children.
“Oh,
you better watch out! You better not pout! You better not cry!
I’m
telling you why: Santa Claus is coming town.”
We
jovially sing this song in this season as we anticipate the coming of
a mythical figure bringing reward for those who have been good “for
goodness’ sake.” It’s a Christmas song. And, in many ways,
it’s an Advent song.
- What is the message of the song “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”?
- How does that fit with your understanding of the Advent message?
We,
too, sing in Advent of anticipation and expectation. We sing of One
who is coming. We are reminded of how we are to live our lives –
watching and waiting, alert for signs of his coming. “Be on guard!
Be alert at all times! Stand up and raise your heads!”
- How does one wait, anticipating the coming of Christ?
- What will be the signs of the return of Christ?
While
some would fear such a time and wonder what it all means, the
followers of Jesus clearly know – the One who is coming is bringing
gifts. “Your redemption is drawing near.” (vs. 28) The words
to the song are transformed from a message of foreboding and anxiety
to one of hopefulness and anticipation. For we know how the song and
the story will end.
- How does it make you feel when you hear about the end of time?
- What might lessen your anxiety?
- Does knowing that Christ will come again change anything about how you live? Why or why not?
We
can face the troubles and anxieties of this age, for we know that
this is not the final word. We can live faithfully and expectantly
in the midst of great uncertainty and fear, for we know and trust
that Christ is “coming to town.”
Knowing
that makes all the difference in the world.
- What difference does it make to know the end of the story?
- What can you do to be ready for the return of Jesus?
Prayer
Stir
up your power, O Lord, and come. Grant us expectant hearts, that we
might be faithful as we await your coming. Amen
Dig
Deeper
Jeremiah
33:14-16
1
Thessalonians 3:9-13
last
word
This
week, listen for words
of
expectation and watchfulness.
Daily
Discipleship
Written
by John and Robin McCullough-Bade
Copyright
© 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
May
be reproduced for local, non-sale use provided the above copyright
notice is included.
