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Can you conceive
what it would be like to drive if there were no traffic signs? Imagine
if they removed all the exit signs on the Garden State Parkway and the
NJ Turnpike. Along with the fact people might not know where to exit the
highway people would no longer be able know where you live in NJ. I mean
what is the first question people ask you when they find out you're from
NJ? What exit. Envision going shopping in stores that did not have signs
directing you to particular departments or certain aisles.
Without signs we would be unsure and confused. When Diane and I were in
Las Vegas we spent a good portion of our time wondering around the
casino trying to get out. The reason, there are no exit signs in the
casinos. Why do you think they do that?
I doubt there is any other season in the church year that has more signs
than Advent and Christmas. You used to know that Christmas was coming
when you started to see decorations appearing in stores, when the SEARS
wish book arrived.
These signs are no longer reliable signs since they begin to appear
shortly after Labor Day. I think a clearer sign that Christmas is coming
is when the Salvation Army bell ringers appear on the street corner,
when the tree at Rockefeller center is lit, when A Charlie Brown’s
Christmas is aired on TV.
Not all signs are as easy to understand for most people as the simply
STOP and YEILD signs. For example in Los Angeles there is a road sign
that reads, Caution Blind Driver Backing Out. If you are a lover of
antiques then you want to make stop at the following antique store whose
sign reads, Antique Tables Made Daily! You all know my love for coffee
but trust I will not stop at the coffee shop in Wilmington, NC with the
sign that reads, Worms and Coffee. For all of you that are hoping that
you can take your money with you when you die then you want to consider
the funeral home in Chapel Hill, NC. Whose sign reads Walker’s Funeral
Home ATM Inside. The alternative is to go to the Olympic Peninsula in
Washington. There you will find a sign that read, Promised Land ¼ Mile
which is partially covered by a sign that reads CLOSED.
Our
scripture verse this morning is all about signs that Jesus gave to us in
reference to the end times. Jesus said, There will be signs in the sun,
moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity
at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror,
apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies
will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in the
cloud with power and great glory.”
It seems to me that
two out of the three signs Jesus talked about is going on
in the present. We have all kinds of cosmic changes: global warming, the
Tsunami in 04; hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 05. One look at today’s
paper and you will find evidence of distress and unrest in the world, of
nations being in anguish.
So what are we to make of these events. Should we conclude that the
world is coming to an end? There are those who have done just that.
Their bold prediction has even led to mass suicides. There will be those
who will continue to do so. So are we to conclude that Jesus is
about to return?
Considering the litany of signs that Jesus gives concerning the end
times: false messiahs, wars and insurrections; earthquakes, famines,
plaques along with cosmic disturbance recorded in the Gospels it would
seem the answer is a YES!
Before we jump to that conclusion let me remind you that Jesus ended His
words about the end times saying, “Truly I tell you, this generation
will not pass away until all these things have taken place.”
Almost 2000 years have passed since Jesus said these words and we are
still here. Did Jesus not know what He was saying? Did Luke not
understand Jesus when he wrote this Gospel? Or was he having as much
trouble as 21st century mankind is having in interpreting the signs of
the time?
There is a story about the Lone Ranger and Tonto. They went camping in
the desert. After they got their tent all set up they crawled in and
both men fell sound asleep. Some hours later, Tonto wakes the Lone
Ranger and says, "Chemo Sabe look towards sky, what you see?"
The Lone Ranger replies, "I see millions of stars."
"What that tell you?" asked Tonto
The Lone Ranger ponders for a minute then says, "Astronomically
speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially
billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo.
Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the
morning. Theologically speaking, the Lord is all-powerful and we are
small and insignificant. Meteorologically speaking, it seems we will
have a beautiful day tomorrow. Then the Lone Ranger asked Tonto, “What
does it tell you?"
Tonto answered, "It tell me someone stole tent."
This story reminds us that interpreting the signs of the time is and
will be no easy task. On one hand we can look at the conditions of our
world and conclude, “We must be living in the final days. How can it get
any worse?” We read our troubles as signs but what seems to be signs
pass and they are simply events in history.
On the other hand we cannot dismiss all of them as not being signs. We
cannot ignore the prophetic Word of God that is being proclaimed in the
events of recent history such as 9/11; the Tsunami; Katrina and Rita.
The danger we face is to miss the signs as well as to misread them. So
what are we to do? “Now when these things begin to take place, stand up
and raise your heads, because your redemptions is drawing near.”
In other words we must stop looking at the world’s troubles as doom and
gloom. They are signs of our coming redemption. They are signs of hope,
restoration, renewal, redemption and victory. If we believe Jesus then
we should not view Advent is serves as a dual purpose. It is a time to
prepare to celebrate Jesus’ coming long ago to destroy the power of
evil, sin and death. It is also a reminder NOT to read the tumultuous
signs in the world with despair, but with hope and anticipation. It is a
time to prepare us to celebrate the ultimate victory.
May all the signs of advent prepare your heart and mind to stand up and
raise your heads, because your redemptions is drawing near. May all your
activities during advent prepare you to be a sign of God’s love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control so that when people see you they will stand up and raise
their heads, because their redemption is drawing near.
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