As we prepare for Advent the weeks leading up to Advent and also today speak about the end times. Usually when we think of “end times” we think of quite horrific and scary events. We heard a few of those just recently – Wars and rumours of war.
Nations fighting against nations. Earthquakes, famines, pestilences. Many people like to turn to the Book of Revelation to read about end times with frightening scenes of beasts, dragons, antichrists, lakes of fire.
In our Gospel reading today Jesus again speaks about the end of the world but there is nothing frightening at all in the events leading up to Judgment Day. In fact it’s quite the opposite. Jesus said: Just as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. It will literally be normal living rather than cataclysmic events according to Jesus.
So when we start looking at the state of the world and thinking we must be in the last days because of all the turmoil in the world, that’s not Jesus warning.
Jesus’ warning was about complacency, like the days of Noah. It does say that the world was corrupt and violent but it seems that it was so common that it was everyday life. And that’s the danger we face, like the days of Noah, no one was ready for the flood that would wipe out all the earth. They couldn’t see the violence and decay because it had become so commonplace. So part of ordinary everyday life. But what we shouldn’t be confused about is that living our everyday lives is not complacency. Eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage was not the problem. The problem was in the last part of that statement by Jesus – they knew nothing until the flood came and then it was too late.
And that’s the difference. We may not live very different lives to our neighbour who is not a Christian but we are in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ as our Saviour. And that’s the difference – our relationship with Jesus. We may look no different to the person next to us and that is often the criticism of Christians as we live out our daily lives – eating and drinking. In fact Jesus faced that criticism at one stage – John the Baptist came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘He is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. We don’t have to live “holier than thou” lives. But we must be ready for whenever Christ returns or he calls us home. And that’s why Jesus says – on that day – Two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. There was no difference between the 2 other than one was in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ their Lord and one was not. There was nothing that distinguished them other than their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
So it’s a question of, if there is no difference then how will people come to know about Jesus in their lives through us. As St Peter says – always be prepared to give the reason for the hope that you have. But how will they know you have hope? We need to remember that life is a gift from God. Just because we are Christians doesn’t mean we have to live a life where we can’t enjoy the finer things of life – given to us by God to enjoy. But Paul reminds us that not all of life is beneficial to us nor a good witness. A good example of that in Paul’s life is his explanation of eating meat. Paul believed he was free to eat meat, even meat that had been sacrificed to idols. But if his eating meat harmed another person’s faith then he said he would never eat meat again, even though he was free to do so.
And that’s the challenge for us. Some people can enjoy a drink while for others one sip could destroy their lives and the lives of their family. Some people can enjoy a flutter on the pokies or the Melbourne Cup but for others they have lost homes and livelihoods through addiction. So it’s a personal challenge for us to examine our own lives and what behaviours could harm our relationships – with God and others. So Paul says: Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, debauchery, licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Anything that harms our faith or is a bad witness to God should be avoided.
Even though we have the forgiveness of sins – there are behaviours that affect our faith which we need to become aware of. As Paul says – “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying.
So we need to identify those things in OUR lives that affect our faith. And it’s different for everyone. So it’s not about judging others but reflecting on and examining our own lives. It’s about identifying those impulsive desires that affect our lives and the lives of people around us: The desire for revenge, the desire for wealth, the desire to prove others wrong, the desire to be seen as important by others can affect our love for God and our neighbour.
Paul says make no provision to gratify any of these but instead put on the Lord Jesus Christ. And the best way to get rid of negative impulses in our lives is to build up our positive impulses. What we are called to do is to live our lives ready for Jesus to return. It’s living our lives, not as if Jesus is coming tomorrow but today. It’s about living our lives not as if Jesus is returning later in the day but now. It’s about living our lives not as if Jesus is coming but is already here. And that’s why Jesus says – Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But that’s not about living in fear – what if Jesus comes if I’m doing something wrong. But it’s about living in hope and readiness – and people will see that. And it is God who has made us ready – through our Baptism where we were sealed with the cross of Christ to live as his baptized child. We are kept ready by the body and blood of Jesus that cleanses us from the disobedience that kept the people of Noah’s day from knowing the truth. We don’t accept disobedience because everyone’s doing it these days – or I’ve tried but I just can’t break the habit.
Paul also struggled in that area – the good I want to do I do not do. The evil I should not do, this keep on doing. Who will save me from this body of death? Thanks be to God. New Years are always good for New Year resolutions. As we begin this new Church Year maybe it’s a good time to make some New Year Christians Resolutions. To begin the day with Prayer. To read your bible everyday. To ring one of our members you haven’t spoken to or seen for a while to see how they are or even to introduce yourself. There are so many positive things we can do each day and it’s these positive things that are the best way to put aside the negative things – the things of the flesh – the things of darkness.
Remember, our entry into heaven is one day less that it was yesterday, as Paul said: You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. So may God bless you as you get ready for that great day when Jesus returns to brings us all home to his Kingdom.
