In today’s Gospel passage from Luke 21, Jesus talks about some of the fun things that his disciples could expect.
Check it out…”They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons…you will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name.” Who's ready to sign up? Just give your life over to Jesus and all this can be yours! Sounds great, huh? Not so much. In fact, isn’t it amazing this whole Christianity thing ever got off the ground? At least the news is not all bad.
“Not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Here is yet another paradox of our faith. You will be put to death, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. Jesus was telling his disciples to remember the bigger picture. This earth, these bodies are just temporary. If we can just persevere through all these trials while we’re here on the planet, it will all work out in the long run…eternity. Because, if you’re living your eternity apart from God, I’m thinking your hair is going to get a bit singed, no?
Father, thank you for helping us to focus on the bigger picture. May we lean on your strength to get us through the trials of today. Amen.
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