Breaking the Word

"When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the time of punishment when all the scriptures are fulfilled. Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand." (Lk 21:20-28)

 

 

Desolation is at hand. What should one do at this time? It is of no use to flee to the mountains. It is of no use to run away from the city or to run into the city. Hiding places in the city or the open space in the country side are not going to help the individual who is trying to escape. These are the days of punishment and the days of fulfilment of scriptures. Pregnant women and mothers with children are under grave situation. They are the terrible days.

 

Natural calamities and signs from the sky will also perplex the people. But they will not be able to do anything about them. The end is seen from all directions: from the city, from the countryside from the seas from the sky etc. They are the days of the gentiles. Religion and religious values do not give any significance to the situation.

 

But the follower of Jesus is consoled because the redemption is at hand. For the follower it is not the day of destruction or desolation but rather they are the days of the coming of the Lord. They should wait with expectation. 

"Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.  You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name,  but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives. (Lk 21;12-19)

 

 

Jesus speaks, in this passage, about the persecutions which they will face because of their fidelity to Jesus and his name. They will be persecuted by religious leaders in the synagogues and by governors in the political arena. They will be imprisoned to defend their situations. They have no worry about the defence. They are only to be ready to bear witness to Jesus and his name.

 

Persecution is not only in the world outside but it is also in the family. Family members and relatives and friends will also turn against them. The disciples and followers will be hated and even put to death on account of the name of Jesus. Individual disciple and follower will be sidelined and marginalized and even isolated because of the name of Jesus.

 

Jesus’ consoling words are at the end of the passage: ‘not a hair on your head will be destroyed’. The disciple should have the faith in God that nothing happens without the knowledge and the permission of God. God has a purpose in whatever happens to the disciple of Jesus. No earthly leader or a family situation has upper hand in the happenings of the disciple. The disciple should have faith in God and he should continue to persevere in it.