Holy Week - Wednesday

The days leading up to the cross continue to be filled with the deep, forboding warnings that Jesus is giving out. He knows his end is near - raising Lazarus from the dead all but assured his own death - and in the 21st chapter of Luke, the pace quickens, the news becomes more dire, the predictions, honestly, more terrifying. 

Those who follow Jesus will be arrested and persecuted. Our own family will betray us and send us to death. Great distress will be on the earth, and people will faint from the fear and foreboding of what is coming. This all must take place before the Son of Man returns to bring in a kingdom of peace and wholeness. Things aren't looking so good for those who have given up everything to follow him. But in the midst of these "signs of the time to come" there is, of course, Good News. "You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish." (21:17-18). "The Son of Man (will come) in a cloud with power and great glory." "My words will not pass away."

Looking at the news or even listening to the events in our own lives and in the lives of our loved ones can make us feel like we are under attack, like all of these signs of the end of the age are coming near. But even in the midst of our fear, our struggle, our pain and our heartbreak, Jesus is here. God is present. Nothing can overpower God. No darkness can survive the smallest spark of light.

Do you have a dark, dangerous or frightening place in your life? A place where you feel death is closer than life? Offer that to God. Ask Jesus return to you in glory and power to strengthen you for the time ahead.