Proper 28 Series C
(November 13 -19)
Malachi 4:1–6
2 Thessalonians 3:(1–5) 6–13
Luke 21:5–28 (29–36)
O Lord, almighty and ever-living God, You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who trust in You. Rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may live and abide forever in Your Son who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
God’s Plan of Redemption Trumps Earthly Destruction and Violence
There are signs of the Lord’s coming all around: the cross that marks His Church, the violence and death of the sinful world, and the shaking of the natural order. “There will be great distress upon the earth” (Luke 21:23), but the faithful know that “the kingdom of God is near” (Luke 21:31). Therefore, “straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). Be awake and alert, and heed the words of Christ, which “will not pass away” (Luke 21:33).
As for you, “the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2). He sends His preachers of repentance in the spirit and power of Elijah “before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes” (Malachi 4:5), in order to “direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5). Although you are often faithless, “the Lord is faithful,” and by the preaching of His Word “He will establish you and guard you against the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3). Therefore, “do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13). In the midst of calamity, believe upon the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Hated for His Name (Luke 21:5-28)
Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege
A person’s name is not simply a vocable, but it is linked to especially two things. It is linked to everything about that person’s identity and it is linked to what that person does (or did). Simply put, your name is linked to who you are and to what you do. The literal meaning of a name may not identify these things, but nonetheless these two things are linked to each name.
When Jesus promised, “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake,” He was identifying the fact that His Name—identifying who He is and what He does—will make those associated with it the objects of hatred. Similarly when anything is done “in His name” it is done in connection with who Jesus is and what He does (or has done), and such Jesus-identified workers are the objects of hatred as well.
So what is the “who” of the name Jesus that will generate such hatred? First, His name is The Name that is above every name. What does this mean? Simply put, He is God. He is Yahweh (e.g. Isaiah 40:3). He is one of the three persons of the Godhead, each person being 100% God, (attested throughout Scripture; of Jesus’ deity see e.g. Col. 2:9.). Such hatred is generated because this “God-with-us” is indeed a man; God now—and forever—has flesh and blood. If we tenaciously hold to this belief—that Jesus is eternally God and man—we will not only be mocked, but because the devil is the ruler of this world, we will be hated by all for His name’s sake. More could be said of the Name of Jesus linked with His identity as God, but branch off of this identity and find a unique reason He was hated particularly by numerous Jews: He was identified as the Christ, the long awaited supreme Prophet, Priest and King. Jesus did not fit the common Jewish preconception of the Christ, so those who linked the name of Jesus with the identity of the long-awaited Christ were hated by such Jews.
So the Name of Jesus not only identifies “Who” He is, but it identifies “What” He does. The devil not only bars his teeth and goes into a frenzy when Jesus is identified as the Christ, the Son of God, but similarly Satan and his world lash out in hatred when the saving work of Jesus is identified. Every Christian knows the “What” of Jesus—what He did: He came to seek and to save the lost. To accomplish this He went to the cross to bodily pay for the sins of the world, to die mankind’s death, to absorb our sin-caused misery. Thus it is when we are asked what we preach, “We preach Christ crucified.” This, along with His cross-verifying resurrection, identifies the primary work of Christ inseparably linked to His Name, and inseparably linked to the hatred extended to those who believe it.
Of course the cross is meaningless to a person unless that person comes to realize sin and that he/she is a sinner who was conceived and born as such. Like King Herod who beheaded John the Baptist because John had exposed him and his bloodthirsty wife as adulterers, so also when the world has its sins exposed—for that must be done before the cross of Jesus has meaning—it, like the Pharisees facing Jesus in Sunday’s Gospel, seethes with murderous hatred.
It is no wonder then that when the Name of Jesus is shared—the Name that identifies Him as the Son of God who came to die and thus release man from sin—the world, as it hated Him, hates those proclaiming His Name as well. May we ever be identified as those who both bear and share the Name of Jesus, and as we are hated by the “world” realize this life is only temporary, for in the Name of Jesus—uniquely bestowed in Baptism—we have the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple -
Luke 21:5
Καί τινων λεγόντων περὶ τοῦ ἱεροῦ, ὅτι λίθοις καλοῖς καὶ ἀναθήμασιν κεκόσμηται εἶπεν•
And while some (NIV renders "disciples") were speaking (concerning) of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and (votive) offerings, he said, (the stones are still impressive...)
Luke 21:6
Ταῦτα ἃ θεωρεῖτε, ἐλεύσονται ἡμέραι ἐν αἷς οὐκ ἀφεθήσεται λίθος ἐπὶ [a]λίθῳ ὃς οὐ καταλυθήσεται.
"As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."
The word Luke uses to describe the utter destruction of the temple καταλυθήσεται is the what we derive our word "catastrophe." The days are coming when "all will be thrown down..." i.e. Destroyed, torn down, demolished, abolished, annulled, made invalid. Catastrophe is an apt term for what happens when that in which we have trusted is utterly destroyed. Trust the one who cannot be destroyed - the Risen Savior. What is Jesus speaking about here? Destruction of Jerusalem? Himself?
Luke 21:7
Ἐπηρώτησαν δὲ αὐτὸν λέγοντες• Διδάσκαλε, πότε οὖν ταῦτα ἔσται, καὶ τί τὸ σημεῖον ὅταν μέλλῃ ταῦτα γίνεσθαι;
And they asked him, "Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?"
Do they want to be prepared? The only sign is 'the sign of Jonah.' See 1 Corinthians 1:22
Every theologian believes these are the last days. Prepare for it to be now and not yet. See Revelation 7. The call is to be faithful and to bear witness.
Luke 21:8
ὁ δὲ εἶπεν• Βλέπετε μὴ πλανηθῆτε• πολλοὶ γὰρ ἐλεύσονται ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου [b]λέγοντες• Ἐγώ εἰμι καί• Ὁ καιρὸς ἤγγικεν• [c]μὴ πορευθῆτε ὀπίσω αὐτῶν.
And he said, "See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I AM' he! and, 'The time is at hand!' Do not go after them.
Watch and see THAT you be not deceived...they come in His name. (See epistle reading 2 Thessalonians 3...) Be active within your vocation. Be not idle. The Pope is THE false prophet. And there are others... Do not be surprised when these things happen. Do NOT look forward, but forward looking...rather be faithful.
Luke 21:9
ὅταν δὲ ἀκούσητε πολέμους καὶ ἀκαταστασίας, μὴ πτοηθῆτε• δεῖ γὰρ ταῦτα γενέσθαι πρῶτον, ἀλλ’ οὐκ εὐθέως τὸ τέλος.
And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, (rumbled) for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once." - Luke 21:5-9
"The end" is the cross, and one's own baptism. Don't put this on a timeline.
Do not be shaken...these things will/must come. The "birth pangs" are a sign of life not death. This is the church's natural habitat. The future is not frightening.
Jesus tells of wars and persecutions -
Luke 21:10
τότε ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς• Ἐγερθήσεται ἔθνος ἐπ’ ἔθνος καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν,
Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
This is passive. It is an intransitive voice. Has the not been true. Nations have always risen against each other. Look not for a theology of glory.
Luke 21:11
σεισμοί τε μεγάλοι [d]καὶ κατὰ τόπους [e]λιμοὶ καὶ λοιμοὶ ἔσονται, φόβητρά τε καὶ [f]σημεῖα ἀπ’ οὐρανοῦ μεγάλα ἔσται.
There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
Both man made and natural disasters are the result of sin. Some may think God is against them. Run not to the hidden God but to the revealed God of Scripture.
Luke 21:12
Πρὸ δὲ τούτων πάντων ἐπιβαλοῦσιν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν καὶ διώξουσιν, παραδιδόντες εἰς [g]τὰς συναγωγὰς καὶ φυλακάς, [h]ἀπαγομένους ἐπὶ βασιλεῖς καὶ ἡγεμόνας ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός μου•
But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.
Luke 21:13
[i]ἀποβήσεται ὑμῖν εἰς μαρτύριον.
This will be your opportunity to bear witness.
Luke 21:14
[j]θέτε οὖν [k]ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν μὴ προμελετᾶν ἀπολογηθῆναι,
Settle it therefore in your minds (literally 'hearts,') [In Greek the body part is always a step down] not to meditate beforehand how to answer,
Luke 21:15
ἐγὼ γὰρ δώσω ὑμῖν στόμα καὶ σοφίαν ᾗ οὐ δυνήσονται [l]ἀντιστῆναι ἢ ἀντειπεῖν [m]ἅπαντες οἱ ἀντικείμενοι ὑμῖν.
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
Luke 21:16
παραδοθήσεσθε δὲ καὶ ὑπὸ γονέων καὶ [n]ἀδελφῶν καὶ συγγενῶν καὶ φίλων, καὶ θανατώσουσιν ἐξ ὑμῶν,
You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.
Luke 21:17
καὶ ἔσεσθε μισούμενοι ὑπὸ πάντων διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου.
You will be hated by all for my name's sake.
Luke 21:18
καὶ θρὶξ ἐκ τῆς κεφαλῆς ὑμῶν οὐ μὴ ἀπόληται.
But not a hair of your head will perish.
Unique to Luke is this phrase. (See Daniel 3:27)
Luke 21:19
ἐν τῇ ὑπομονῇ ὑμῶν [o]κτήσασθε τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν.
By your endurance you will gain your lives.
See - Luke 21:10-19 for context
Faith under attack endures.
Jesus tells of the destruction of Jerusalem
Luke 21:20
Ὅταν δὲ ἴδητε κυκλουμένην ὑπὸ [p]στρατοπέδων Ἰερουσαλήμ, τότε γνῶτε ὅτι ἤγγικεν ἡ ἐρήμωσις αὐτῆς.
"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.
Luke 21:21
τότε οἱ ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ φευγέτωσαν εἰς τὰ ὄρη, καὶ οἱ ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῆς ἐκχωρείτωσαν, καὶ οἱ ἐν ταῖς χώραις μὴ εἰσερχέσθωσαν εἰς αὐτήν,
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it,
Luke 21:22
ὅτι ἡμέραι ἐκδικήσεως αὗταί εἰσιν τοῦ πλησθῆναι πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα.
for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.
It still is the work of God
Luke 21:23
[q]οὐαὶ ταῖς ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσαις καὶ ταῖς θηλαζούσαις ἐν ἐκείναις ταῖς ἡμέραις• ἔσται γὰρ ἀνάγκη μεγάλη ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ [r]ὀργὴ τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ,
Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people.
Luke 21:24
καὶ πεσοῦνται στόματι μαχαίρης καὶ αἰχμαλωτισθήσονται εἰς [s]τὰ ἔθνη πάντα, καὶ Ἰερουσαλὴμ ἔσται πατουμένη ὑπὸ ἐθνῶν, ἄχρι [t]οὗ [u]πληρωθῶσιν καιροὶ ἐθνῶν.
They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Coming of the Son of Man
Luke 21:25
Καὶ [v]ἔσονται σημεῖα ἐν ἡλίῳ καὶ σελήνῃ καὶ ἄστροις, καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς συνοχὴ ἐθνῶν ἐν ἀπορίᾳ [w]ἤχους θαλάσσης καὶ σάλου,
"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,
Luke 21:26
ἀποψυχόντων ἀνθρώπων ἀπὸ φόβου καὶ προσδοκίας τῶν ἐπερχομένων τῇ οἰκουμένῃ, αἱ γὰρ δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν σαλευθήσονται.
people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Luke 21:27
καὶ τότε ὄψονται τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐρχόμενον ἐν νεφέλῃ μετὰ δυνάμεως καὶ δόξης πολλῆς.
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:28
ἀρχομένων δὲ τούτων γίνεσθαι ἀνακύψατε καὶ ἐπάρατε τὰς κεφαλὰς ὑμῶν, διότι ἐγγίζει ἡ ἀπολύτρωσις ὑμῶν.
Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software
