STANDING IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

 

(Sermon on Luke 21:5 – 19)

One of the most bizarre research that people has done (as I remembered watching the Discovery Channel) is to go into the eye of the storm using a specialized vehicle to measure the pressure inside the storm and to collect the necessary data to predict the direction and factors that could accelerate and decelerate the speed of the storm. Bizarre indeed. Because in the past, no one would actually think of going near the storm, even so, into the eye of the storm! Theoretically, there is a stillness in the eye of the storm. Their discovery was, indeed there is a comparable stillness than outside of the storm.

In Luke 21:5 – 19, Jesus warned the disciples of what things must take place before the Coming of the Son of Man (v25 – 28). The coming of the Son of Man was told to be the time for salvation (v28). A joyous moment indeed for the oppressed Jews, living in their own land but treated as the outsider. Surely their intention when they asked Jesus in verse 7 after Jesus spoke of the destruction of the temple was to ask in anticipation of when this promised Messiah would take his place as the righteous king in oppose to Herod, the fake king. Excited to hear His response, never in their wildest dream to actually being revealed with the reality of the price that they have to pay to follow Jesus (v17).

What is the cost of discipleship? We are not talking about the monetary values that come with it as we lay out the plan to disciple Christian for the next ten to twenty years. The actual cost here will cost us our value (imprisonment and persecution – verse 12), our relationship (betrayals from the closest of our kin – verse 16), and even death (verse 17). When we learn that the cost is everything but cheap, being the disciple of Christ could be very terrifying. It explains why most people would rather not be a Christian! Value, relationship, and life are the utmost importance aspects of a person.

But hear then the comforting words of our Lord Jesus, “not a single hair from your heads will be lost. “(verse 18). Losing hair in the old days means to lose one’s dignity rather than to mean that there is no harm in getting in our ways (the people of Judah will shave their hair and beard when they mourn). The coming of the Son of Man will bring joy to those who stand firm (verse 19; see also Revelation 7:17, Revelation 21:4;6 – 7). How can we stand firm knowing that the storm is coming (verses 8 – 19)? Against reading the prophesy and actually trying to steer our way out of it, the invitation here is to go into the “eye of the storm” – where calmness of salvation stood. Jesus told the disciples that the persecution that the disciples will surely face will be the opportunity to testify to the Good News (verse 13). Rather than worrying about it as it came to us (worried of what to tell or how to defend ourselves), He promised to “give such words and wisdom” necessary for us to testify (verse 15). The goal is never to escape that reality but in order for the testimony of Jesus Christ being proclaimed far and wide (see also Acts 7; the testimony of Stephen before he was stoned in front of the Council).

My fellow workers in Christ, as Paul told the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 3:6 – 13), we are not to dilly dally with our duty as the disciples for the reasons of; the toil in His field is too much or He is yet to come. All aspects of our lives are opportunities to testify to the Truth. Costly as it can be, that should not be an excuse for us not showing Jesus in our lives. Yes, we will lose our value. Yes, we will lose some friends or family members in between. Yes, we may even die because of Him. But consider this, the future glory that is to be revealed to us is everything compared to the suffering of the present time (Romans 8:18). Just as the researchers who went into the eye of the storm in spite of the terrifying roar and possible casualties it may cost, we too, braving the storm to get to the stillness in the eye of the storm – to the stream of the Living Water that God has promised to us through Christ our Lord (Revelation 21:6). Amen, Amen, Amen!