Anxiously Awaiting

Luke 21:25-33

We’ve all known times when we have anxiously awaited an important event or occurrence that was to happen.  Many of those events had a specific day in which they were to occur, such as a graduation, a wedding, a move, or a first or last day of work.  Other events did not have a specific day in which they would occur, such as a birth of a baby, or the possible visit of a distant relative. In our Scripture passage today from the Gospel of Luke, we read of a coming event of which we are anxiously awaiting, one which this season of Advent highlights, the return of the Lord Jesus to earth.

Immediately preceding to the start of our passage today, the disciples had been talking to Jesus about the events that will occur prior to His return.  There will be many cataclysmic occurrences both on earth and in the heavens, along with upheavals among nations and governments. For many years people have been trying to set dates as to when this will occur, especially whenever something happens somewhere on earth.  Jesus has told us, though, that no one knows when His return will happen (Mark 13:32).

All of these prophecies of coming persecution and destruction sounds frightening.  For so many people, hearing about any of these types of events brings a panic, fear, and depression (vs. 26).  Feeling that the direction the world is moving is only getting worse and worse, they fear the future. However, for believers it should be a time of anticipation and joy (vs. 28). Jesus is coming back for us soon! We do not need to fear the future, or go into a panic when we hear of any of the events that Jesus said would foreshadow His return. As believers we can rest in the peace that He has promised (John 14:27; Philippians 4:7).

We can have peace, knowing that He has everything under His control.  No future event catches God off-guard. Nothing takes Him by surprise.  As we read throughout Scriptures, God created the heavens and the earth, and they are fully under His control.  Any event on earth, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or any event that might happen in outer space, they are all under God’s control.  He is not a God who created the world and the universe, and then is just sitting back watching it spin out of control. No, these events that will herald the return of Christ have been planned since before time began.

Jesus told us to take a lesson from the fig trees (vs. 29 - 30).  I am someone who strongly dislikes winter. Living in the Chicago area as I do, we have long and cold winters, with lots of strong, biting winds, snow, and ice.  Our cold weather often lasts from November till frequently mid-April. Disliking winter as I do, I will eagerly look for any signs of the coming spring. By March I am anxiously looking for that first robin to return.  As I pass by trees, I will look for any signs of leaf buds coming. Jesus has told us to be that way in looking for signs of His return. When I catch sight of that first returning robin, what a cheer I let out! Are we as anxious in awaiting His return?

There are signs that will show that the Messiah is near, and when He returns He will bring a reign of justice, truth, and peace.  As followers of Jesus, we should be prepared for persecution from unbelievers, and also be discerning about world events. The Advent season not only prepares us for the coming celebration of Jesus’s birth, but it also guides us to be looking forward and preparing for His second coming, whenever that will be. We know that God’s Word is true, and will always remain (vs. 33), so we need to be confidently awaiting His return.  It could happen at any time, whether tomorrow, next year, in ten years, or more. Signs and events will show us when it is near, just like my first robin and the trees buds do. During these days prior to Jesus’s return, our motto needs to be “Watch and Pray!”