Sermon Notes for November 6
November 6, 2005
“We Who Are Alive”
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
1. In the our Red Hymnbook, there is a well known Charles Wesley hymn… # 553 – And Are We Yet Alive:
And are we yet alive, and we see each others face? Glory and thanks to Jesus give for his almighty grace.
What troubles have we seen, what mighty conflicts past, fightings without, and fears within, since we assembled last.
Wesley asked that this song be song every year when the Methodist ministers gathered in England for there Annual Conference.
While the words may seem a bit urgent to us today … we need remember that life in Wesley’s England was much less certain than it is today. Imagine for a moment, these pastors traveling from all over England to meet and worship together … many having not seen each other for a whOle year and wondering if they were all still alive.
It’s kind of a play on words … for the title of this sermon is “We Who Are Alive” –which comes from I Thessalonians 4.
2. What does it mean to be alive in the 21st century? Quite a bit different, it seems from life back in John Wesley’s day. In fact, in today’s world of mass communications, it seems hard to believe that where we know about anything that happens in the world in a matter of minutes or hours – that this was not true in Wesley’s day.
In fact, there is a famous book - The Diary of a Country Parson – by the Anglican Pastor James Woodforde which is about everyday church life in rural England in the 18th century. According to his writings we actually learn that the news of the fall of the Bastille in France (which began the French Revolution) – took ten days to cross the English channel and reach his little village of Weston, England.
In his diary, the Reverend Woodforde notes that when the newspaper from Bath arrived …on July 24th, 1789 --- there was news of a great rebellion in France which began on July 14th … but, strangely enough, he hardly takes any further notice …
Instead, he writes very approvingly a few days later on August 4th of seeing King George III who, he writes, had become one of the most popular Kings of England. The King had come to the country to visit Lord Digby and perhaps 5,000 people came to see him, his wife, the queen, and other members of the royal family. Rev. Woodforde writes several pages in great detail about this “most delightful day” … and thanks God for it!
3. Remember, of course, all the while that Pastor Woodforde is living comfortably and tranquilly in his rural English Parish in Weston, much of the rest of the world is in total turmoil!
For, let us not forget that the American Revolution occurred … under the same King George the 3rd – beginning in 1776. Not that this seems to phase Rev. Woodforde any more that the French uprising in which thousands were put to death by the guillotine - the subject of much of Charles Dickens’s famous book, A Tale of Two Cities.
Actually, Pastor Woodforde’s comments notwithstanding, King George was not popular with everyone in England. For it seems that George III had unswervingly supported his Prime Minister Lord North's policies that resulted in the American War of Independence (1776-1783).
However, some MPs, led by Charles Fox and William Pitt criticized the conflict as an "unjust war" and urged Lord North's government to bring it to an end. Fox and Pitt were also critical of the way that George III tried to influence and manipulate those in Parliament. They argued that parliamentary reform was necessary for the preservation of liberty.
3. About this time, George III was also having trouble with his high-spirited eldest son, George, Prince of Wales. According to some accounts, on the 5th November, 1788, the king attacked the Prince of Wales and tried to smash his head against the wall. One observer claimed that foam was coming from the king's mouth and his eyes were so bloodshot that they looked like currant jelly. Afterward, King George was placed in a strait-jacket and eventually his doctors had a special iron chair made to restrain their patient. Other treatment included putting poultices of mustard all over the King's body; the idea was that the painful blisters which resulted would draw out the "evil humours". By April 1789, George's doctors came to the conclusion that he had recovered from his madness and he was allowed to carry on with his royal duties.
By the 1890s, Gorge III was a deeply unpopular king and there were several attempts to assassinate him. The nearest anyone came to killing him was on 15th May 1800, when a man fired two pistol shots at him while in the royal box of the Drury Lane Theatre. Although the bullets only just missed it was said that the king continued to watch the play and was so unconcerned by these events that he fell asleep during the interval.
So, you think we have problems in government, today!
Now, I have to say that reading Pastor Woodforde’s tranquil account of life in rural England, as I do occasionally, makes me, too, long for a quieter life. Maybe I could be assigned to a little church somewhere up in Northern Minnesota far away from all the chaos of urban life – Wait! I think I am already here!
4. Now, the Apostle Paul, did not live a tranquil life as a pastor in a rural village. He, like John Wesley, traveled up and down the roads and highways spreading the Gospel. He established churches throughout Asia Minor and in Greece.
One of them was in Thessalonica.
While Paul was there on a visit, he apparently spoke to them about his belief in the immanent return of Jesus Christ which would be Day of Judgment.
For the these Greeks, this was perhaps something rather new and
frightening. As former pagans, they were unfamiliar with apocalyptic predictions of this sort.
However, had they been Jewish, they would all have known about the idea of the coming Day of the Lord.
5. The reality was that many Jews believed that “time” was divided between the present age which was regarded as wholly and incurably bad … and the age to come … which would be a golden age of God. In between, there would be a terrible day … when the old world was shattered and another was born.
We need only turn to the Prophet Isaiah for a description:
See, the day of the LORD is coming —a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger— to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.
The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.
I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.
And there are many other similar visions in Zephaniah, Amos, Jeremiah, Malachi, and Joel. In short, the idea was fairly pervasive.
6. Now, according to Jewish religious beliefs, this Day of the Lord would come suddenly and unexpectedly. It would be a day of cosmic upheaval. It would be a Day of Judgment.
It is not too hard, then, to see how the followers of Jesus in the New Testament writings continued to believe in the Day of the Lord … only, now, they identified it as the day when Christ would return. We saw this, for instance, last week in the Revelation of John.
Well, this was big news for the Greek Christians in Thessalonica.
And, as might be expected, they wanted to know when this would come about. And so have Christians, all throughout the world, EVER SINCE.
For, if the Jews are still waiting for the Messiah, today. So, also, Christians are waiting for the return of the Messiah!
More specifically, what these early Christians in Thessalonica, who believed in Christ’s immanent return, wanted to know was what would happen to those who already had died. Would those who had died also share in the glory of the day that would come?
Paul, of course, in this very pastoral letter, assures them that, yes, those who have died will share in the glorious resurrection that is to come.
7. Paul goes on to say that they should not sorrow like the rest of the people, the pagans, who have no hope. For, if Jesus died and rose again, they we also can be sure that God will bring those who have died in Christ back to life.
But, back then we must realize, Paul’s message was totally new and wonderful to hear for these former pagan people. Yet, for those of us who believe today, it is much harder to fully grasp how it was that many in the Ancient world lived only with grim resignation in the face of death.
Actually, death, for many throughout the Ancient world was a hopeless matter. For instance, the Greek philosopher Aeschylus wrote: “Once a many dies there is no resurrection.” Theocritis wrote, “There is hope for those who are alive, but those who have died are without hope.” Another Greek, Catullus, stated that “When once our brief light sets, there is one perpetual night through which we must sleep.”
In fact, on tombstones in cemeteries were often written epitaphs like: “I was not; I became; I am not; I care not.”
Paul, however, counters this ancient fatalism by saying that “the man who has lived and died in Christ is still in Christ even in death.”
8. Now, many people, including Paul, the Gospel writers, the author of the Book of Revelations, and the Old Testament prophets have all tried to describe what the last day – the day of judgment – will be like. But, we are not to take this literally. It is an attempt to describe what no one has ever seen. For the vivid images of the last days belong to prophetic and imaginary literature and all Ancient people understood this.
Today, however, some people try to take it literally as if these are factual descriptions.
Some people today also try to figure out exactly when the last day … the day of the Lord will occur. They try to fathom the strange and symbolic language of prophetic utterances written 2,000 years ago as if they hold a perfect key to unlock current events and predict the course of modern history.
In fact, as I have said, a whole business and industry has grown up in America to see books, movies, and create an expectation that Jesus is about to return right now.
All of this, while highly entertaining, is also highly misleading. And, for some people, it is dangerous and deceptive because it provides a huge sense of just plain irresponsible escapism. And lastly, it is also very unbiblical.
Take, for instance, the idea of the rapture and the double return of Christ to suddenly and mysteriously rescue all the true believing Christians from the effects of the Day of the Lord … while those who don’t believe will the LEFT BEHIND!
9. Biblical Scholar Craig Hill, in his recent book In God’s Time, points out that such ideas about the rapture are unscriptural. Ironically, he writes, in their efforts to interpret the Bible literally and consistently, proponents of the rapture have mangled the biblical witness almost beyond recognition. At the end of all their theorizing and systematizing, He writes, it is the Bible itself, this wonderfully diverse and complex witness to God and Christ, that as been LEFT BEHIND.
What then, does the Bible have to say on the subject?
Well, naturally, in addition to wondering what would happen to those who had already died, these new Christians in Thessalonica wanted to know WHEN, WHEN, WOULD CHRIST RETURN?
And Paul writes to them … in the following passage … from I Thessalonians, Chapter 5 – the Eugene Peterson translation:
1I don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. 2You know as well as I that the day of the Master's coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. 3About the time everybody's walking around complacently, congratulating each other--"We've sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!"-suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.
4But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? 5You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. 6So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart.
10. In other words: NOT TO WORRY!
It’s that simple. Let me repeat … IT’S THAT SIMPLE.
In other words, if you are faithful … if you accept the teachings of Jesus Christ and keep them close to your heart … if you trust God … then DON’T WORRY ABOUT WHEN JESUS IS COMING BACK. GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE. DO GOOD WORKS … LOVE ONE ANOTHER … AND DON’T OBSESS ABOUT THINGS WE CAN’T UNDERSTAND … AND CAN’T PREDICT.
In fact, according the great biblical scholar, William Barclay, it is actually even rather blasphemous to keep trying to seek knowledge that was denied even to Jesus who said in the Gospels:
28"Take a lesson from the fig tree.” Jesus said. “From the moment you notice its buds form, the merest hint of green, you know summer's just around the corner. 29And so it is with you. When you see all these things, you know he is at the door. 30Don't take this lightly. I'm not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too--these things will happen. 31Sky and earth will wear out; my words won't wear out.
32"But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father.
That is really the same thing Paul said.
Interestingly enough, this is really rather interesting because Paul actually never met Jesus in person. Yet, in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians - which is written about twenty years before the Gospel of Mark – he says the very same thing that Jesus is recorded as saying in the first Gospel … so, evidently, Jesus’ teachings were quite familiar to Paul …but only by word of mouth. Very interesting.
11. So, what then are we to do, today? What does this mean for our lives today?
Well, back when I worked for the Red Cross, the big Day of Judgment occurred every year. Often it came almost without warning. And everyone had to be always prepared. What do you suppose it was?
Well, it was actually the day the FDA inspectors came to the Blood Center. And when they came, everybody got the message: The FDA is here! Better be ready!
Now, the fact is that all medical facilities and companies that produce medical equipment and drugs are licensed and inspected by the Food and Drug Administration.
And, of course, you can argue, as many do, that the FDA isn’t always doing a good job nowadays and also we know there is corruption and lobbying influences which are brought to bear on the FDA which allows many drug companies to get away with cheating and other violations.
But, my point is that for all of us who worked for the Blood Center it was essential that we keep our house in order. Obey the rules. Follow the guidelines. Run things ship-shape and you wouldn’t have to worry when the Feds will show up. And, for the most part we always passed the test in good condition – which was not true for some other blood centers that were actually closed down for major failures in testing and other procedures – particularly related to the AIDS epidemic. Now you need to realize that this was all quite serious. For it was really a matter of life and death. And, I am sure if you work in a hospital or other medical facility something similar goes on … isn’t that right? Regular inspections, like having your financial records audited, are all a part of life in many businesses and professions.
12. And speaking of ship-shape … I have a good friend who was in the Navy Reserve for some twenty years.
He would always tell me about Navy inspections. Especially if the Admiral and the higher ups would be visiting the base or the ship.
Guess what happened? Well … before the ranking officers arrived, everything was scrubbed down and tip top … because when the higher ups arrived you want to be looking good. Right?
It’s just like being a teacher in the classroom … you never know when the principal might drop in for a little visit … right?
So, what is the message? … Well it’s pretty simple: keep your spiritual house in order and you will have nothing to worry if Jesus were to suddenly drop in unexpectedly.
Does that make sense?
13. So, it seems to me …that since we have been put in charge of things in this world …(that is all of us) … then we ought to try to keep things in order … just in case Jesus shows up … don’t you think?
So, maybe we ought to do something about pollution … and poverty … and the misuse of the environment and all the other problems … we face … in the world.
What’s that old bumper sticker … Jesus is coming and he’s not real happy!
Well, probably not. Probably not.
14. Which means that since we are in charge – then it doesn’t excuse us from taking responsibility for what is going in the world … In other words, we are not allowed to have all too familiar and negative escapist attitude that all is lost and there is nothing we can do about it …
Rather, it seems that we should follow the idea expressed in Mark’s Gospel:
45"Who here qualifies for the job of overseeing the kitchen? A person the Master can depend on to feed the workers on time each day. 46Someone the Master can drop in on unannounced and always find him doing his job. A God-blessed man or woman, I tell you. 47It won't be long before the Master will put this person in charge of the whole operation.
48"But if that person only looks out for himself, and the minute the Master is away does what he pleases-- 49abusing the help and throwing drunken parties for his friends-- 50the Master is going to show up when he least expects it 51and make hash of him. He'll end up in the dump with the hypocrites, out in the cold shivering, teeth chattering.
So, what’s that old line: “The boss is coming … better look busy!”
Even if you are living way up in Northern Minnesota …
And that is our Gospel message for today…!
“We Who Are Alive”
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
1. In the our Red Hymnbook, there is a well known Charles Wesley hymn… # 553 – And Are We Yet Alive:
And are we yet alive, and we see each others face? Glory and thanks to Jesus give for his almighty grace.
What troubles have we seen, what mighty conflicts past, fightings without, and fears within, since we assembled last.
Wesley asked that this song be song every year when the Methodist ministers gathered in England for there Annual Conference.
While the words may seem a bit urgent to us today … we need remember that life in Wesley’s England was much less certain than it is today. Imagine for a moment, these pastors traveling from all over England to meet and worship together … many having not seen each other for a whOle year and wondering if they were all still alive.
It’s kind of a play on words … for the title of this sermon is “We Who Are Alive” –which comes from I Thessalonians 4.
2. What does it mean to be alive in the 21st century? Quite a bit different, it seems from life back in John Wesley’s day. In fact, in today’s world of mass communications, it seems hard to believe that where we know about anything that happens in the world in a matter of minutes or hours – that this was not true in Wesley’s day.
In fact, there is a famous book - The Diary of a Country Parson – by the Anglican Pastor James Woodforde which is about everyday church life in rural England in the 18th century. According to his writings we actually learn that the news of the fall of the Bastille in France (which began the French Revolution) – took ten days to cross the English channel and reach his little village of Weston, England.
In his diary, the Reverend Woodforde notes that when the newspaper from Bath arrived …on July 24th, 1789 --- there was news of a great rebellion in France which began on July 14th … but, strangely enough, he hardly takes any further notice …
Instead, he writes very approvingly a few days later on August 4th of seeing King George III who, he writes, had become one of the most popular Kings of England. The King had come to the country to visit Lord Digby and perhaps 5,000 people came to see him, his wife, the queen, and other members of the royal family. Rev. Woodforde writes several pages in great detail about this “most delightful day” … and thanks God for it!
3. Remember, of course, all the while that Pastor Woodforde is living comfortably and tranquilly in his rural English Parish in Weston, much of the rest of the world is in total turmoil!
For, let us not forget that the American Revolution occurred … under the same King George the 3rd – beginning in 1776. Not that this seems to phase Rev. Woodforde any more that the French uprising in which thousands were put to death by the guillotine - the subject of much of Charles Dickens’s famous book, A Tale of Two Cities.
Actually, Pastor Woodforde’s comments notwithstanding, King George was not popular with everyone in England. For it seems that George III had unswervingly supported his Prime Minister Lord North's policies that resulted in the American War of Independence (1776-1783).
However, some MPs, led by Charles Fox and William Pitt criticized the conflict as an "unjust war" and urged Lord North's government to bring it to an end. Fox and Pitt were also critical of the way that George III tried to influence and manipulate those in Parliament. They argued that parliamentary reform was necessary for the preservation of liberty.
3. About this time, George III was also having trouble with his high-spirited eldest son, George, Prince of Wales. According to some accounts, on the 5th November, 1788, the king attacked the Prince of Wales and tried to smash his head against the wall. One observer claimed that foam was coming from the king's mouth and his eyes were so bloodshot that they looked like currant jelly. Afterward, King George was placed in a strait-jacket and eventually his doctors had a special iron chair made to restrain their patient. Other treatment included putting poultices of mustard all over the King's body; the idea was that the painful blisters which resulted would draw out the "evil humours". By April 1789, George's doctors came to the conclusion that he had recovered from his madness and he was allowed to carry on with his royal duties.
By the 1890s, Gorge III was a deeply unpopular king and there were several attempts to assassinate him. The nearest anyone came to killing him was on 15th May 1800, when a man fired two pistol shots at him while in the royal box of the Drury Lane Theatre. Although the bullets only just missed it was said that the king continued to watch the play and was so unconcerned by these events that he fell asleep during the interval.
So, you think we have problems in government, today!
Now, I have to say that reading Pastor Woodforde’s tranquil account of life in rural England, as I do occasionally, makes me, too, long for a quieter life. Maybe I could be assigned to a little church somewhere up in Northern Minnesota far away from all the chaos of urban life – Wait! I think I am already here!
4. Now, the Apostle Paul, did not live a tranquil life as a pastor in a rural village. He, like John Wesley, traveled up and down the roads and highways spreading the Gospel. He established churches throughout Asia Minor and in Greece.
One of them was in Thessalonica.
While Paul was there on a visit, he apparently spoke to them about his belief in the immanent return of Jesus Christ which would be Day of Judgment.
For the these Greeks, this was perhaps something rather new and
frightening. As former pagans, they were unfamiliar with apocalyptic predictions of this sort.
However, had they been Jewish, they would all have known about the idea of the coming Day of the Lord.
5. The reality was that many Jews believed that “time” was divided between the present age which was regarded as wholly and incurably bad … and the age to come … which would be a golden age of God. In between, there would be a terrible day … when the old world was shattered and another was born.
We need only turn to the Prophet Isaiah for a description:
See, the day of the LORD is coming —a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger— to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.
The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.
I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.
And there are many other similar visions in Zephaniah, Amos, Jeremiah, Malachi, and Joel. In short, the idea was fairly pervasive.
6. Now, according to Jewish religious beliefs, this Day of the Lord would come suddenly and unexpectedly. It would be a day of cosmic upheaval. It would be a Day of Judgment.
It is not too hard, then, to see how the followers of Jesus in the New Testament writings continued to believe in the Day of the Lord … only, now, they identified it as the day when Christ would return. We saw this, for instance, last week in the Revelation of John.
Well, this was big news for the Greek Christians in Thessalonica.
And, as might be expected, they wanted to know when this would come about. And so have Christians, all throughout the world, EVER SINCE.
For, if the Jews are still waiting for the Messiah, today. So, also, Christians are waiting for the return of the Messiah!
More specifically, what these early Christians in Thessalonica, who believed in Christ’s immanent return, wanted to know was what would happen to those who already had died. Would those who had died also share in the glory of the day that would come?
Paul, of course, in this very pastoral letter, assures them that, yes, those who have died will share in the glorious resurrection that is to come.
7. Paul goes on to say that they should not sorrow like the rest of the people, the pagans, who have no hope. For, if Jesus died and rose again, they we also can be sure that God will bring those who have died in Christ back to life.
But, back then we must realize, Paul’s message was totally new and wonderful to hear for these former pagan people. Yet, for those of us who believe today, it is much harder to fully grasp how it was that many in the Ancient world lived only with grim resignation in the face of death.
Actually, death, for many throughout the Ancient world was a hopeless matter. For instance, the Greek philosopher Aeschylus wrote: “Once a many dies there is no resurrection.” Theocritis wrote, “There is hope for those who are alive, but those who have died are without hope.” Another Greek, Catullus, stated that “When once our brief light sets, there is one perpetual night through which we must sleep.”
In fact, on tombstones in cemeteries were often written epitaphs like: “I was not; I became; I am not; I care not.”
Paul, however, counters this ancient fatalism by saying that “the man who has lived and died in Christ is still in Christ even in death.”
8. Now, many people, including Paul, the Gospel writers, the author of the Book of Revelations, and the Old Testament prophets have all tried to describe what the last day – the day of judgment – will be like. But, we are not to take this literally. It is an attempt to describe what no one has ever seen. For the vivid images of the last days belong to prophetic and imaginary literature and all Ancient people understood this.
Today, however, some people try to take it literally as if these are factual descriptions.
Some people today also try to figure out exactly when the last day … the day of the Lord will occur. They try to fathom the strange and symbolic language of prophetic utterances written 2,000 years ago as if they hold a perfect key to unlock current events and predict the course of modern history.
In fact, as I have said, a whole business and industry has grown up in America to see books, movies, and create an expectation that Jesus is about to return right now.
All of this, while highly entertaining, is also highly misleading. And, for some people, it is dangerous and deceptive because it provides a huge sense of just plain irresponsible escapism. And lastly, it is also very unbiblical.
Take, for instance, the idea of the rapture and the double return of Christ to suddenly and mysteriously rescue all the true believing Christians from the effects of the Day of the Lord … while those who don’t believe will the LEFT BEHIND!
9. Biblical Scholar Craig Hill, in his recent book In God’s Time, points out that such ideas about the rapture are unscriptural. Ironically, he writes, in their efforts to interpret the Bible literally and consistently, proponents of the rapture have mangled the biblical witness almost beyond recognition. At the end of all their theorizing and systematizing, He writes, it is the Bible itself, this wonderfully diverse and complex witness to God and Christ, that as been LEFT BEHIND.
What then, does the Bible have to say on the subject?
Well, naturally, in addition to wondering what would happen to those who had already died, these new Christians in Thessalonica wanted to know WHEN, WHEN, WOULD CHRIST RETURN?
And Paul writes to them … in the following passage … from I Thessalonians, Chapter 5 – the Eugene Peterson translation:
1I don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. 2You know as well as I that the day of the Master's coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. 3About the time everybody's walking around complacently, congratulating each other--"We've sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!"-suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.
4But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? 5You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. 6So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart.
10. In other words: NOT TO WORRY!
It’s that simple. Let me repeat … IT’S THAT SIMPLE.
In other words, if you are faithful … if you accept the teachings of Jesus Christ and keep them close to your heart … if you trust God … then DON’T WORRY ABOUT WHEN JESUS IS COMING BACK. GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE. DO GOOD WORKS … LOVE ONE ANOTHER … AND DON’T OBSESS ABOUT THINGS WE CAN’T UNDERSTAND … AND CAN’T PREDICT.
In fact, according the great biblical scholar, William Barclay, it is actually even rather blasphemous to keep trying to seek knowledge that was denied even to Jesus who said in the Gospels:
28"Take a lesson from the fig tree.” Jesus said. “From the moment you notice its buds form, the merest hint of green, you know summer's just around the corner. 29And so it is with you. When you see all these things, you know he is at the door. 30Don't take this lightly. I'm not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too--these things will happen. 31Sky and earth will wear out; my words won't wear out.
32"But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father.
That is really the same thing Paul said.
Interestingly enough, this is really rather interesting because Paul actually never met Jesus in person. Yet, in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians - which is written about twenty years before the Gospel of Mark – he says the very same thing that Jesus is recorded as saying in the first Gospel … so, evidently, Jesus’ teachings were quite familiar to Paul …but only by word of mouth. Very interesting.
11. So, what then are we to do, today? What does this mean for our lives today?
Well, back when I worked for the Red Cross, the big Day of Judgment occurred every year. Often it came almost without warning. And everyone had to be always prepared. What do you suppose it was?
Well, it was actually the day the FDA inspectors came to the Blood Center. And when they came, everybody got the message: The FDA is here! Better be ready!
Now, the fact is that all medical facilities and companies that produce medical equipment and drugs are licensed and inspected by the Food and Drug Administration.
And, of course, you can argue, as many do, that the FDA isn’t always doing a good job nowadays and also we know there is corruption and lobbying influences which are brought to bear on the FDA which allows many drug companies to get away with cheating and other violations.
But, my point is that for all of us who worked for the Blood Center it was essential that we keep our house in order. Obey the rules. Follow the guidelines. Run things ship-shape and you wouldn’t have to worry when the Feds will show up. And, for the most part we always passed the test in good condition – which was not true for some other blood centers that were actually closed down for major failures in testing and other procedures – particularly related to the AIDS epidemic. Now you need to realize that this was all quite serious. For it was really a matter of life and death. And, I am sure if you work in a hospital or other medical facility something similar goes on … isn’t that right? Regular inspections, like having your financial records audited, are all a part of life in many businesses and professions.
12. And speaking of ship-shape … I have a good friend who was in the Navy Reserve for some twenty years.
He would always tell me about Navy inspections. Especially if the Admiral and the higher ups would be visiting the base or the ship.
Guess what happened? Well … before the ranking officers arrived, everything was scrubbed down and tip top … because when the higher ups arrived you want to be looking good. Right?
It’s just like being a teacher in the classroom … you never know when the principal might drop in for a little visit … right?
So, what is the message? … Well it’s pretty simple: keep your spiritual house in order and you will have nothing to worry if Jesus were to suddenly drop in unexpectedly.
Does that make sense?
13. So, it seems to me …that since we have been put in charge of things in this world …(that is all of us) … then we ought to try to keep things in order … just in case Jesus shows up … don’t you think?
So, maybe we ought to do something about pollution … and poverty … and the misuse of the environment and all the other problems … we face … in the world.
What’s that old bumper sticker … Jesus is coming and he’s not real happy!
Well, probably not. Probably not.
14. Which means that since we are in charge – then it doesn’t excuse us from taking responsibility for what is going in the world … In other words, we are not allowed to have all too familiar and negative escapist attitude that all is lost and there is nothing we can do about it …
Rather, it seems that we should follow the idea expressed in Mark’s Gospel:
45"Who here qualifies for the job of overseeing the kitchen? A person the Master can depend on to feed the workers on time each day. 46Someone the Master can drop in on unannounced and always find him doing his job. A God-blessed man or woman, I tell you. 47It won't be long before the Master will put this person in charge of the whole operation.
48"But if that person only looks out for himself, and the minute the Master is away does what he pleases-- 49abusing the help and throwing drunken parties for his friends-- 50the Master is going to show up when he least expects it 51and make hash of him. He'll end up in the dump with the hypocrites, out in the cold shivering, teeth chattering.
So, what’s that old line: “The boss is coming … better look busy!”
Even if you are living way up in Northern Minnesota …
And that is our Gospel message for today…!
posted by Anonymous at 5:46 PM
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