Who Shall Be Able to Stand?

Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?” (Luke 23: 26-31)

The multitude witnessing a wounded Jesus, mourned and lamented Him. Yet the Lord, one more time, amazes us with His prophetic words:

“Do not weep for me, but for yourselves and for your children”. God’s judgment was imminent over the people of Israel. Years later, what Jesus was experiencing would seem easier to bear compared to the suffering of the invasion and destruction of Jerusalem. The women would desire to be barren, to avoid seeing their children being slain by soldiers.

Then, the Lord points them further into the future, “They will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”, and to the hills, “Cover us!” The Lord is citing here Hosea 10: 8, referring to the day of wrath that will come over the earth, prophesied in Revelation 6: 12-17:

“At the opening of the sixth seal, a great earthquake will sake the foundations of our planet; the sun will become black, and the moon red, and the stars of heaven will fall unto the earth. The heaven will disappear as a scroll when it is rolled together, and every mountain and island will be moved out of their places. Then, the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, will hide themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and they will say to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb!  For the great Day of His wrath will come, and who shall be able to stand?”  

Jesus was not focused on His suffering. At that very moment, when He was about to be slain; to hang on that cross and die in the most cruel, painful way, He was thinking about you and me. He died, so we could live. He bore our sins so we could be forgiven. He stood between God and us, and took all the blame and shame in our place, so that we may be able to stand before Him at His second coming. So, how your story will end? Will you be one of those who will be by Jesus’ side at His return, or of those who will have to bear the full force of His wrath? Will you be able to stand in Christ’s presence?

“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24: 30)

 

A Day of Celebration!

“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.” Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away. “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.  For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him. (Luke 21: 25-37)

This are Jesus’ final words about Jerusalem’s destruction. In them we find not only a reference to the actual destruction of the temple, but according to most commentaries, also a reference about the end of times. So, this part of Jesus’ prophecy is for us as well.

Signs in the sky and the sea will terrify people on earth, and Jesus will come in a cloud with power and great glory. What for the Jews was a metaphor of Jesus’ revenge for their sin and rejection; it will be for us a reality. The Lord will return. It will be a time of redemption and joy for Christians. “When these things begin to happen look up and lift up your heads”. All injustices, all sorrows, all worries will fade away at the sight of our Savior. What for the rest of the world will be like a trap, it will be for those who believe in Christ a day of celebration!

Jesus said,“Do what farmers do, when you see the trees are budding, know that the summer is at hand” and “When you see this things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near”. His statements may seem too obvious to us,  but we people are so unwise and keep believing those who claim knowing when the world will end. My husband has a phrase that helps me to stay calm,“Don’t worry before things happen, it is a waste of time!” The Lord seems to be telling us the same, “WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE SIGNS!”

Jesus advised us one more time not to fix our affections in this world, but stay steadfast in His will, obeying His voice, so He’ll count us worthy of His kingdom. What a joy will be hearing our Lord telling us, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’

Today’s Practice

I will make all things that pertain to my spiritual life my priority: reading the Scriptures, praying to God and sharing the Gospel. I will spend my life obeying the Word of God and serving others. I will remain faithful to my Lord until His second coming.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14: 1-3)