Redeemer Lutheran Church

Dear Friends in Christ,

In the gospel for today, Jesus describes what life on earth is like until he comes again in glory at the consummation of the age.  Regarding the state of the entire world, he says:

“See that no one leads you astray.  Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.  And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. [Mark 13.5b-8]

Jesus' words ring true.  Throughout the world, false prophets preach false gospels of money, material wealth, and earthly glory, and along with these false gospels, they proclaim a false Christ.  Right now, war rages in Israel and Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, and countless other places around the globe.  Nations plot and scheme to gain advantage one over the other, while natural disasters—hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and wildfires—bring destruction, devastation, famine and want to the places they plague.  Trouble is everywhere.  But Jesus says: “do not be alarmed”.  These are the beginnings of sorrows.  This is just the beginning, and only God knows the end.  And while the suffering has begun, on a worldwide scale, chaos and calamity rule the day.  So says our Lord, and with our own eyes and in our own lives we see his words come to pass.

For us—for the Church—things are also difficult, while we wait for the return of Christ.  Jesus says:

“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”  [Mark 13.9-11]

Again, Jesus' words ring true.  In various parts of Africa, Christians are arrested, tortured.  They are even killed because of their faith, oftentimes while they gather in church for worship.  In the Muslim world Christian worship and piety is altogether banned.  In China, the only legal church is the government sanctioned church which the government controls and limits and censors.  Here in our own country, the persecution is not so obvious.  We face the subtle, yet no less sinister persecution of a society and government that increasingly demands we keep our faith a totally private matter; that says refrain from expressing your beliefs in public.  Keep your faith in church and out of your vocation; out of your social interaction; out of public view.  All these attempts to limit the scope of our faith or wipe out Christianity provide us the opportunity to preach the gospel to those who would silence it.  They give us a time and place to preach a witness against those who persecute the people of God.  Persecution gives us the platform to do just what Jesus says: Publish the gospel among all nations.  While we proclaim the gospel, we face persecution.  So says our Lord, and with our own eyes and in our lives, we see his words come to pass.  And yet, the gospel goes forth, just as Jesus promised.

After speaking of the whole world and to the whole Church, finally today Jesus speaks to us on a personal, one-on-one level.

“And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death.  And you will be hated by all for my name's sake”. [Mark 13.12-13a]

As the prophet Micah warns us:

“Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man's enemies are the members of his own household.” [Micah 7.5-6]

On a personal level, we face the threat of martyrdom every day.  Those we hold most dear and love with all our heart, may in the end make martyrs of us all.  Few, if any of us can say that all our family and friends have been and remain faithful to the Church.  And some of us, no doubt, know the heartbreaking sorrow of a loved one who militantly opposes our faith, our hope, and even our Christian love.  That is how it is for us in the Church, and that’s how it always has been.  So says our Lord, and with our own eyes and in our lives, we see his words come to pass.

 
 
After all this bad news, Jesus makes a promise to sustain us through all our trial and tribulation in this life.  He says: “…But the one who endures to the end will be saved”. [Mark 13.13]

These words of Jesus ring just as true as all that came before.  As we endure in our faith in the face of a world struck by the chaos of false prophets, war, and natural disaster, Christ sustains us by his grace.  He that shall endure unto the end shall be saved from a world in rebellion against its God.  As we endure in our faith in the face of persecution that seeks to quiet our faithfulness, diminish our devotion, and steal us from our Lord, Jesus strengthens us for the fight, energizes us to share the gospel, and grants us fortitude to face even the possibility of martyrdom and baptism in blood.  The one who endures unto the end shall be saved.  As we endure in our faith in the face of personal opposition and even hatred because of our belief, Christ nourishes our faith with his holy word and this precious promise: He that shall endure unto the end shall be saved.

Christ has saved us from it all.  He has secured our salvation—Christ has saved us from our great eternal threats by his death upon the cross.  On the cross, Christ suffered the attacks of the world that would not receive him as its Savior.  On the cross, Christ suffered the persecution of the enemies of God and those who would destroy his Church.  On the cross, Christ suffered the abandonment and opposition of those near and dear to his heart, because they lost their faith.  And on the cross, Christ sealed his promised of salvation in his very own blood.  As his blood poured down upon the ground of Calvary, the healing of the world began.  As his blood poured down from the cross the reconciliation of the Church and her enemies was accomplished.  As his blood poured down from his hands and feet, head and side, the family of God was restored and our bond with our Lord was made sure.  For in his suffering and death upon the cross, Christ sealed his promise: He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

 
  
So, as the world rages around us, and as we face persecution from outside the Church; and even as those near and dear dare to challenge our faith and our hope, let us do as the writer to the Hebrews encourages us:

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and ball the more as you see the Day drawing near.” [Hebrews 10.22-25]

As we draw near to Christ with a true heart, may we always hold this promise of our Lord steadfast in faith: He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  God grant it for Jesus' sake.  In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.