Straighten Up (Luke 21:28)

 

Friday, April 11, 2025

Psalms 95; 96

Exodus 10:1-20

Luke 21:20-28

Observance: George Augustus Selwyn, first missionary bishop of New Zealand (d. 1878)

Straighten Up (Luke 21:28)

How often have we heard a fellow Christian claim, in solemn tones and with a long face, that we are in the end times? Look at this country’s government, or that country’s natural disaster; look up and down and everywhere around, anguish everywhere, and surely this is the end, they say – and with an appropriately miserable look on their face!

What an upside-down attitude these doom-sayers have. Have they not read? Have they not seen? If bad things happen in the world, that is nothing to write home about. There is nothing new under the sun – pray to the Lord about it, and then go and see what practical help you can offer.

But if these things are indeed proof of Christ’s imminent return, then why the long face? Because when Christ returns there will be no room for sad faces. Stop for a moment and just think: what will it actually be like, to be standing on the earth, and seeing the Son of Man returning in the clouds of the glory of heaven surrounded by the holy angels? He will come to end all suffering, to wipe away every tear, and bring his people into the place of soft grass and cool streams, to the citadel stronghold of his love, where we will no longer see him by faith, but perceive him and his immeasurable love face-to-face.

I get sceptical when people talk about the end times as if it were cause for concern. Because whenever Jesus talks about it, it seems like it will be the most wonderful time. Between now and then there is work to be done – more of God’s people to learn of his love for them, more soul-fitness work to be done in our prayers, more works of charity to be performed. It is a wonderful work, a noble and beautiful work. But when all is said and done and the end times come and Christ returns, we will straighten up and raise our heads, for our redemption is near.

Is there anything in your future you are worried about? What does Jesus want you to focus on?

Son of Man, whose glory fills the earth and will one day return in the glory of heaven like nothing ever yet seen: keep our hearts to the task at hand and, on the day of your Second Advent, call us by name and bring us into the joy of your kingdom.