Ever, Always, in the End Times

November 18^th, 2018   “Ever, Always, in the End Times”    Rev. Heather Jepsen

Mark 13:1-8 with 1 Samuel 2:1-10

         This morning we return to our readings in Mark.  This is Jesus’ final days in the gospel of Mark and he is visiting the temple with his disciples.  His followers are awed by the spectacle of the Temple Mount.  Such great and glorious buildings, such a wonderful expression of man’s faith in God.  Surely Jesus can see the glory of the place.  But Jesus warns that this man-made glory will not last.  All will be thrown down.  In fact, everything that the disciples have thought was stable in their world; religion, culture, government, identity, all will be torn down.  Jesus makes it clear that the only thing the disciples can count on is him.

         In the historical context of this passage, in the time it was written, Jesus is speaking mostly about the temple culture.  Jesus believed that the religion had become false and idolatrous.  The temple authorities, the religious leaders, had aligned themselves with the Roman Empire.  In their quest for security and power, the people of God had abandoned the teachings of their faith and allowed themselves to be wedded to lies and violence.  As the gospel of Mark continues, we see this to be true as the leaders of the faith work with the leaders of government to plan the death of Jesus. 

         Jesus knows that the people of God are easily led astray.  We see that story throughout the scriptures.  From the worship of the golden calf at the foot of Mount Sinai, to the period of false judges, to the death of Jesus and the persecution of the early church, the people of God have a tendency to get confused and follow the wrong leaders.  We see it in our world today as well.  From the rise of cult leaders, to the powerful lie of the prosperity gospel, good and well-meaning people have become distracted and confused.  It has always been this way.

         And so, Jesus warns the disciples against such false leaders.  Do not be confused, and “beware that no one leads you astray”.  Many will come bearing the name of Christ, and they will be false gods.  Many people will fall for these false leaders, and their lies about the faith.  Things will grow dark.  There will be wars and famine, violence and earthquake, but the people of God are to remain vigilant.  “Pay attention” Jesus seems to say, “and keep your eyes on me!”

         What we have here in Mark’s gospel is what scholars refer to as the “little apocalypse”.  Those that are following along in their Bible will note that Jesus’ speech continues on from here.  He talks about the suffering that his followers are sure to endure.  He talks about the government marrying itself to religion and the dangers therein.  He talks about the people of God fleeing in fear and he talks about the stars falling from the sky.  And over and over again he tells his followers to not be afraid, to remain strong, to not be distracted, and to keep alert and keep their eyes on him alone.

         This is a prime example of Jewish apocalyptic literature which has several important themes.  First, the belief that God controls history.  This is the sovereignty of God.  Whatever happens in our world is in God’s hands.  It is God who controls our world and not the world that directs the actions of God.

         Second is the belief that the world has become so evil, that only God can save it.  People have gotten to such a rotten and broken place that we cannot possibly save ourselves.  It is God alone who can fix this horrible mess that we have made of everything.

         The third belief is that God will rescue the world from evil at the time of God’s own choosing with a new and just creation.  Not only will God fix the mess that we made, God will make a new and right world in its place.  God will heal all of creation, from the earth we have polluted and destroyed, to the relationships we have wrecked and ruined.  God will not only fix it, God will make a new and better world for God’s people.

         Our poem from 1 Samuel is another example of this apocalyptic tradition.  Much like Mary’s Magnificat, here we have a woman who has experienced a miraculous pregnancy and birth, singing the praise of God.  But within her song, we have a vision of the new world order.  Those of military strength will be brought to their knees, and those who have been trampled upon will rise to power.  Those who are fat will go away hungry, and those who are wasted away in hunger will have their bellies filled.  Those who have no families will be blessed with many children, and those who have borne many will be barren again.  The rich man will be poor, and the poor man will have great wealth.  God will judge this earth, and those who are in power will be brought down as the powerless are set up to reign.  This is an apocalyptic vision, God’s new world order.  This is the upside-down kingdom of God, where the last will be first and the first will be last.  This is the hope of all God’s people as we pray, “thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

         When I was reading these apocalyptic texts this week, I was marveling at how timely they always, always are.  We are ever, always, living in the midst of the end times.  Every time I have read the little apocalypse in Mark’s gospel, I have thought to myself, “why this sounds like today!”.  People being led astray by those who claim to come in the name of Christ?  Check.  Wars and rumors of wars?  Check.  Nation rising up against nation?  Check.  Earthquake and famine?  Check and check.  Add to that list fire, mass shootings, increased poverty, global warming, a rise in hate crimes, and whatever mess the internet is and we have got a full-blown apocalypse on our hands. 

         And we are not alone.  For over 2,000 years we’ve thought this was it.  When Mark wrote these words, either right before or right after the fall of temple, the people of God thought it couldn’t get any worse.  But we know it could get worse and it did.  World Wars and concentration camps, nuclear weapons and mass migrations, increasing violence and the threat of death to our planet, we are ever and always living in the end times. 

         And what should we do?  Jesus makes it clear.  Stay alert, keep awake, watch out for fakers, and don’t get distracted.  Hold the course, keep the faith, don’t let that glimmer of hope in your heart die.  Jesus tells us that all of this madness is but the beginning of the birth pangs.  And what is birth, but new life?

         I think that each of these moments, each of these darknesses, is a chance for new life to be born and new hope to shine through.  Whenever we suffer, as individuals or as a nation, we emerge stronger.  We make mistakes and we hurt each other, but then we try hard not to make those mistakes again.  We find meaning in our suffering, and we grow.  We are broken people, but the light of God shines through our brokenness.  Slowly, slowly, as the earth turns, God is making things right.  Each day, each moment, is a chance we have to right our wrongs and start again.  We are ever always living in the end times, but we are also ever always at the very beginning.  Each day, each morning, is a chance for a new life, a better life, a fresh start to try again and do better this time. 

         So, these days, as you watch the news with me, and read your Bibles at home, despairing over wars and rumors of wars, despairing over those who have been led astray, and despairing over the mess that we have made, don’t lose heart.  Keep your eyes on Jesus.  Pay attention to who he is and the things he teaches us.  Love your God with all that you are.  Love your neighbor with all that you have.  Share and give and love and grow.  Make this world a better place.  This is but the beginning of the birth pangs and we have a long way to go.  Do not be alarmed, but stand strong in your faith.  God’s new world is being born in our midst, ever, always, today.  Amen.