Advent 1: Thursday
Read
Luke 21:25-36"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape
all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."
(Luke 21:36)
Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the “Pax Romana,” the “Roman Peace,”
a two-hundred year stretch of time known for its peace within the Roman
Empire. Under the Romans, it was relatively safe to live and travel—why? Not
because folks back then were more peaceable than today, but because the
Romans ruled with an iron fist. Criminals and rebels were punished in terrible
ways, culminating in crucifixion. Forty years after Jesus' cross, General Titus
and his Roman troops would surround Jerusalem and conduct one of the most
barbaric sieges in history. The details of Roman cruelty upon those in the city
will turn your stomach—and events like this took place during the “Roman
Peace”! Sadly, it's not that the era was mis-named; rather, life in the Empire was
relatively peaceful when compared to those lands without Roman control.
Though seldom covered in the evening news, cruelty rules the day in many
parts of the world; and consistently, wherever God's Law is rejected, the
barbarity increases. Yet the Lord still cares for this creation, providing all that
we need for this body and life. He permits trial and sorrow, fear and perplexity,
but only as a preaching of the Law to show the wages of sin and our need for
redemption.
My point is this: if this is how the world goes when the Lord still extends His
mercies, I cannot imagine how terrible hell would be, with no such mercy or
help. Clearly, you want to be prepared for the Lord's return. Clearly, you want to
be counted worthy to stand before the Son of Man and escape condemnation.
You want to leave nothing to doubt. And yet, soiled from the start by original
sin, there's no way you get through this life worthy on your own. No one does.
But still, you're worthy—and you can be sure of it. Why? Because Jesus is
worthy, and He's washed you in His blood. He's clothed you in His own
righteousness, even as He's taken all of your sin and unworthiness upon Himself.
No matter what comes to pass, the cross has already happened. Jesus has taken
away all of your sins. That's the promise He made you in your Baptism, and the
Word He renews in His Absolution. That's the same gift in His holy Supper,
given for those repentant people who believe His Word.
In Him, you're worthy.
Therefore my Intercessor be and for Thy blood and merit
Declare my name from judgment free with all who life inherit,
That I may see Thee face to face
With all Thy saints in that blest place
Which Thou for us hast purchased. (TLH 611:6)