Against All Odds
So, maybe we are getting close to the time when all this will happen.
As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. Then he asked them, "You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down." When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered them, "Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah!' and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs. "Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come. - Matt. 24:1-14
We like to believe that Jesus heralded in an era of peace, but we haven't seen proof of that, have we?
Even Jesus doesn't say that he is bringing about peace on earth.
It makes for great Christmas songs, especially when the angels sing. But there has never been peace on earth, and it looks like we will continue to battle one another until the very last second.
If we know the war cannot be won, do we stop fighting?
That is our quandary, isn't it? But I don't think it is the right question to ask ourselves. Instead, we should ask if we have the strength to continue to try to make this life better for all we meet.
That is the work of Christ, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting in the sick, comforting those in pain.
We know the dark days are always with us, so our struggle is to have the courage to be the light in that darkness.
That doesn't mean we don't do battle. Every day is a battle against evil and injustice.
What we need to do is keep plowing ahead, despite the knowledge that the world will not thank us for it.
More to come...