I feel I should start by saying something in German, but if I did no-one would understand it, not least me! So instead I will try to speak more slowly and clearly and not for too long. So those of you that are regular can be grateful to our visitors for that!
Here is a question to ponder: What do these countries have in common: Egypt, Syria, Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey? Whilst you are thinking about that, do you remember this headline: ‘Miracle of San José’. Yes, the story of the Chilean miners rescue. One year ago this month. Why a miracle? Well let me read a few sentences: “…”
It surely was a miracle? But let’s think for a moment about those days before the rescue, before they knew they would be rescued. To be trapped deep underground with limited food, water and air is the stuff of nightmares; most of us will find it hard to imagine. When the mine first collapsed, for day after day, week after week, they did not know if the mine would become their tomb. The physical conditions were hard enough but what about their inner struggles. Fighting despair – yes. But something more. These were hard-working men who were used to action. Suddenly they were helpless. There was nothing they could do to get themselves out alive. They simply had to endure. The Oxford English Dictionary defines endure as to ‘suffer patiently’. Is that what Jesus calls his disciples to? Have another look at Matthew 24 v13: ‘Anyone who endures to the end will be saved.’ The verse before this one is chilling: ‘And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold.’ As law and order breaks down, people turn inwards and look to their own survival. So love, which by definition takes account of the other, is a casualty of chaos. ‘Many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another.’ This is certainly what happened when the Romans came in greater force to subdue the rebellious Jewish people, just 40 years or so later. As the Jewish rebels were held under siege, they turned against one another; stories of cannibalism and betrayal were common. It would have felt like the end of the world. But the words Jesus spoke have wider significance. The troubles that he warns about - wars, rumours of wars, famines, earthquakes and so on, are part of what can be expected as what he calls the ‘birth pangs of the age to come’. And you and I are part of that. We sit between the Messianic Age of the first century and the fulfilment of God’s purpose when His Kingdom will be fully established. We’re not there yet. Just as childbirth goes through several stages, some painful, so does the birth of God’s kingdom. And those caught in the middle, between the Kingdom of earth and its values, and the Kingdom of God, should expect to be in the place of conflict. That was certainly true for the early disciples, they did suffer torture and death because of their allegiance to Him. But they endured to the end.
Back to my opening question. What do those countries have in common? Egypt, Syria, Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey. If you thought ‘they have all been in the news recently’, you are right, in the news because of trouble, either political or financial. But there’s more than that:
Egypt was once a great world power, but is no longer.
Syria was once a great world power, but is no longer.
Greece was once a great world power, but is no longer.
Italy (well Rome) was once a great world power, but is no longer. So too Spain and Turkey. All had huge global influence in the past, but are now in trouble. What about Britain? Are we still Great Britain? Are we in trouble? In serious decline? And if so, how do we respond? The words of Jesus could not be more relevant. Nations and symbols which appear indestructible are not.
The Temple in Jerusalem was an extraordinary achievement and was recognised as one of the most beautiful sights in the world. It was a symbol of the special relationship the Creator of the world had with the Jews. If such a powerful icon was destroyed, what would that say about the Covenant relationship? ‘Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another.’ And so it was. When things crumble around us – maybe not buildings, but law and order, the economy, national pride, respect for what is godly – what do we do? That’s where the famous prayer comes in: ‘God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.’ That is when endurance is needed. ‘Anyone who endures to the end will be saved.’
What did this mean for the Chilean miners? It meant not falling into chaos as those besieged in Jerusalem did. The miners knew they must not turn against one another, not fight each other for their own survival and descend into lawlessness, but rather work together to survive. They could do nothing to bring about their rescue but what they could do they must – endurance meant patient suffering, with discipline and dignity. It is when we are under pressure that our true worth is tested. St Paul puts it like this: ‘suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.’ Endurance is named as a key Christian characteristic; it is listed 18 times in the NT. It appears six times in Revelation. For example: ‘I know your works—your love, faith, service, and patient endurance.’ ‘Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.’ And this one: ‘Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to the faith of Jesus.’ And there it is. Endurance seems to be a passive thing – just put up with it. But that’s not what it means. Jesus says that when lawlessness increases, the love of many will grow cold. He challenges us not to let our love grow cold; to endure means to hold fast to faith, to keep trusting Him, to simply keep his commandments. Sometimes when I hear one lot of bad news after another I lose faith, I want God to act NOW. It’s at those times that I need to hear that call to endurance. Not to let my love grow cold means simply doing the right thing and doing the next thing. ‘Anyone who endures to the end will be saved.’
May the Lord remind us of that when we need it, and may He give us strength to endure and trust that His Kingdom will come. Amen. |