101121 - Yr C - Reign of Christ

Back to the Lectionary readings this week - sort of. We'll actually be using the Luke reading from last week's lectionary.
Luke 21:5-19

As we read this passage we should remember how utterly central the temple was to Jewish life in Jesus' time. To talk of its destruction was shocking. It would be like a minister today gleefully suggesting that it would be a good thing if we woke up tomorrow morning and every single church building has mysteriously blown up overnight  ;-)

Verses
v.8 - "I am he" -  remember that in Hebrew this sentence sounds just like "Yahweh"
v.9 - Luke was probably written in the 80's - that's 10+ years after the actual insurrection that resulted in the destruction of the temple. It is impossible to determine whether Jesus actually foretold it or the writer was simply commenting on what happened recently
v.10 - this could be a very significant verse.  What if "nation against nation" meant Israel against Rome? - and what if "kingdom against kingdom" meant the kingdom of Rome against the Kingdom of God?
v.11 - a favourite among the religionistas on TV who see these "signs" wherever they look
v.12 - persecution - in the parallel verses in Mark there is no talk of persecution, but it was happening in Luke's day
v.13 - trials are actually opportunities!
v.14-15 - don't worry about preparing the perfect thing to say about faith, just be willing to say what comes to you
v.16-17 - following the Way of Jesus has the potential to be divisive
v.18-19 - but it's worth it...   (v.18 relates fwd to 19, not back to 16)

Questions

• Why would I choose this passage for New Members Sunday?

• Do you feel like we are living in times when Christians are being persecuted?
• Talk about a time when claiming you were a follower of Jesus was uncomfortable or costly for you.
• If someone asks you about your faith or religion, what do you tell them?
• Do you have a standard answer in your pocket, or do you just let the Spirit put words in your mouth?
• This marks the end of the Christian Liturgical year. In what ways is this passage a good end of the year text?
• I frequently argue that mainline churches have an woefully inadequate theology of membership.
  • What does church membership mean to you?
  • Is it easy or costly?
  • Is it worth it?
  • Besides voting privileges, what does membership get you in our church?

 
Shalom!