Loving God, in the fullness of time, you sent your Son, showing us your love and your grace.  Keep us faithful until the end of time, abiding and growing in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

            For several weeks now, we have been hearing parables of Jesus that have pointed us to the end of the age, and even the final judgment.  There were the bridesmaids who were waiting for the bridegroom, and the slaves who were supposed to look after the master’s money until he returned.  There were the sheep and the goats, who were all surprised by the judgment given by the Son of Man.  And then today, once again, we hear about the coming of the Son of Man and the need to keep awake and keep alert.  Even though it is the beginning of a new church year, we are pointed to the end of time, when Christ will come again.

         There are all sorts of fancy words that are used to describe today’s gospel and the gospels of the past few weeks.  They are eschatological, and today, apocalyptic.  They describe the Parousia, which is the second coming of Christ – or, perhaps more accurately, the final appearing of Christ.  While Jesus is, indeed, in heaven, as we discussed last week, he is also right here – in us and with us and among us.  And, some time in the future, we will see him in bodily form, coming with the clouds, like the Son of Man described in today’s gospel (Mk. 13:26).

         Most things, as you may have discovered, come to an end at some point.  In fact, in today’s gospel, even “heaven and earth will pass away” (Mk. 13:31), as the “powers in the heavens will be shaken” (13:25).  However, the words of Jesus will not pass away, but will continue into eternity.  For our part, during this season of preparation, we are asked to focus on the things that are eternal, even as the world around us is consumed with material things.

         While many people these days are fascinated by signs of the end, and even make predictions about how close we are to the end of the world, we are told in today’s gospel that nobody knows the day or the hour – not even Jesus (Mk. 13:32)!  To be a little bit tongue in cheek, nobody knows the day or the hour – but here are the signs!  It is like we are being let in on a little secret, which is quite common in apocalyptic literature.  However, the overriding message in today’s gospel is not the signs of the end, but to watch, keep alert, keep awake!

         A big question, however, is how we are supposed to remain on high alert for an indefinite period of time.  Staying awake for days on end is not a particularly good idea and will ruin your health in a big hurry.  Being in a constant state of tension in order to stay alert is also bad for our health (although people in a war zone have no choice).  So, how do we keep alert and be prepared to meet our Maker? (workingpreacher.org)

         The key seems to be in the mini parable that Jesus tells at the end of today’s gospel.  He compares his final appearing to a man who goes on a journey and leaves the servants in charge.  They need to stay alert in order to be ready at any time for the master’s return.  The servants in the parable are able to do this because they can work together.  They take turns in their various duties, including being on watch.  They also take turns resting.  Because there is a community, they can help one another to keep alert.

         We, too, actually need one another.  There are good reasons that Jesus calls his followers to be part of a community.  Taking turns is one of those reasons, as well as pooling our resources for the common good.  Some of the other reasons mentioned in Scripture are bearing one another’s burdens, provoking one another to good deeds, and learning how to love and serve one another.  And then today, we are invited to think about helping one another to be prepared for the coming of Christ.

         This doesn’t mean going and getting our bunkers ready and stockpiling supplies for the apocalypse.  A different kind of preparation is required which includes, but is not limited to, keeping alert and watching for the presence of Jesus.  In fact, the best thing to do is to keep alert while we keep on loving God by loving and serving others.  Keep on living out the kingdom of God in a world that is in desperate need.

         I give thanks for all of you who have committed yourselves to sharing God’s love through this particular congregation at this time and in this place.  I give thanks for all of you who do bear one another’s burdens and provoke one another to good deeds.  I give thanks for all of you who continue to learn how to love and serve one another, even as we enter the 26th year of the congregation of St. Luke’s Zion.

         May we help one another in the task of re-centering ourselves this Advent season, focusing on those things that are eternal, as we prepare – not just for Christmas, but for those times when we will meet Jesus, both here and in the world to come.  Amen.  May it be so.  Amen.

Advent 1(B)                                       Mark 13:24-37

December 3, 2023

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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