Straighten Up

Scripture Reading: Luke 21:25-28

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;  men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

On Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus spent time teaching in the Temple and talking to the disciples about the coming destruction of Jerusalem and signs of His coming again. In the text I have chosen for today, Jesus specifically mentions signs in the heavens and the effect they will have on people.

He exhorts us to not react the way the rest of the world does to these fear-inducing events. Their hearts will fail them. They will be afraid, distressed, and perplexed. You could describe them as physically cowering as cowards.

Don’t be like that. Instead, have faith. Straighten up, look up. Jesus is coming to finish His redemptive work in you.

In a few days, there is going to be a solar eclipse. I’m not suggesting it has any spiritual significance. But a lot of people are. It’s weird that in some areas the government suggested preparations for it like you would make in a disaster situation. Who knows why? But some are reacting with fearful dread. I think that is because it is just one more thing they are adding to the list of things that seem to indicate the world is spinning out of control.

I get that.

But as a Christian, what is to be our response? Whatever happens or doesn’t happen in the next few weeks, we aren’t supposed to be a people who are cowering in a corner. We are to be a people who are standing upright, looking right up, and saying, “Even so, Come Lord Jesus!”

solar eclipse