Optimist’s Roundtable
By Martha Sykes
Sometimes good news/bad news stories can make us laugh, even though they can be corny. Here’s an example: Well, there was a young man who phones up his dad at work to chat. Dad says, “ I’m sorry, son, but I’m up to my neck in work today”. The son says, “ But I’ve got some good news and some bad news for you, Dad”.
Dad says, “OK, but since I’ve got no time now, please just give me the good news”
The son says, “ Well, the air bags work!”
Well, in the Bible passage from Luke, chapter 21, we can read about where Jesus had to deliver some bad news to His disciples. The only thing was that He delivered the bad news first, and then He told him the good news. He told them that God already had it in His plan to help them persevere when things were going to happen in the future, or when events would become painful or chaotic. At this particular time, Jesus and his disciples were standing in the temple, courts, and the disciples were remark and about the beauty around them, especially in the stones. It makes us wonder what they saw in that large courtyard. The giant stones that made up the temple were dazzling, blinding, white marble, and over some of the stones was gold plating, reflecting the sunlight. From the distance, it probably was glowing and up close it probably seemed like the most impressive building in the Roman empire. And Jesus had the sad task of telling His disciples that this magnificent center of Jewish life and faith was destined for destruction. This would be a traumatic event. This temple was the center of their Jewish faith. When we think of what we already know, the disciples would also experience violence and persecution, because of their commitment to Jesus. They probably felt like their lives were going to fall apart for real. In verse 6, Jesus says, “ As for what you see here..”. Those are powerful words, and it reminds us how it is so easy to put our faith and to anchor our hope in the things that we can touch and see in this world. It is so easy to be impressed by appearances, by possessions, and by the many symbols of security, even though some of those things are superficial, or not even close to being real.
Jesus knew that fear could motivate us to put our trust and things that we can see her own. In this world today, we have to be careful where we put our trust, like worldly, powers or possessions. Some people follow whatever gives them security, or significance.
Just like Jesus was reminding His disciples, He is also reminding us that all earthly things that we put our trust and will one day be destroyed. The kingdom of God is not something we can touch or see. It is the spirit of God working in our human hearts to bring about holiness and justice, righteousness and peace until the day that Jesus comes again.
(To be continued next week)
