Mark 13:1-13

Enduring to the End

Proper 28C

November 15, 2015

There is no question, God requires Christians to be gathered into His presence. This is not an option for a Christian, this is not a suggestion, but the fulfillment of the 3^rd Commandment.  The author of Hebrews comments 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” So you may endure until the end.  That you may get your strength and your confidence and your hope in Christ, through the assurance of the forgiveness of your sins. To hear the Word, receive His Sacraments, pray, sing, and give thanks.

But where are we to meet God in His mercy? Where does He locate Himself for our good and not to our harm?  In the Old Testament the answer to those questions was easy – the temple.

At the time of Jesus, Herod’s temple in Jerusalem was one of the most impressive man made structures of the ancient world. People came from all over to see it. At times it was a much of a tourist attraction as it was a place of worship. For a faithful Jew, it was the center of religious life, the place where the glory of God dwelt with His people, the place where the Sacrifice of Atonement was made once a year in the Holy of Holies to cover the sins of the people.

It’s no surprise therefore that Jesus’ disciples comment on the beauty of the temple.  It would have been quite the source of pride for them.  Look at what these hands have made, what our efforts have done.  It would have been a little surprising then that Jesus says the Temple would be destroyed.  It would take a disaster, a national tragedy. Surely that wouldn’t happen, much less anytime soon. Yet Jesus’ words are fulfilled almost 40 years later, in the year 70, as the Romans level the city of Jerusalem and tear down the temple because of their rebellion.

It’s not the first time God knocked down the works of the hands of men, nor will it be the last. He did the same during the flood, He did the same with the tower of Babel, He did the same to the temple when the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem 600 years earlier.  The church, the people of God, isn’t built upon the authority of men, nor upon the works of human hands, but solely upon the rock of Christ. All our efforts to rise above this sinful world, all our achievements in medicine and science and engineering and the will power of mankind come to naught when presented before the creator of heaven and earth.

His disciples wondered about this and so Peter and James and John and Andrew asked Jesus privately when this would happen and how they would know that it was coming.  Rather than giving the disciples a time table, Jesus urges those who would follow Him to be on their guard against false prophets, the evils of this fallen world, persecution, hatred and death. The final judgement comes unexpectedly, and we are to be ready to meet that day without fear or anxiety, but with the faith in the Son of God.

We live in the days foretold by Jesus. We hear of wars and rumors of war. Lawlessness is increasing. The love of many is growing cold. There is no fleeing to a temple made of human hands that can stop or postpone this Day of our Lord.  But the one who endures to the end will be saved. The Gospel of Christ is being proclaimed through the whole world as a testimony to all nations. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

In our current world and culture, terrorism and evil seem to be spreading more and more and rapidly.  The murder of innocents, the lies, sexual immorality, destruction – life as a Christian for us will not get easier in the future. We need to be ready to suffer all, even death, for the sake of the Gospel.  One day, these bricks and wall will crumble.  Not just this building, but all our efforts and all our righteousness will not stand in the presence of a Holy and righteous God who demands perfection. So what are we do to?

And as we wait His final coming, we gather together here in this place with fellow Christians, not neglecting to meet together.  With the incarnation of Christ, the temple no longer served as the location of God’s presence for His people.  Now, God Himself dwells bodily among us.  Jesus is the temple where the glory of the Lord dwells with and for His people.  The temple that was torn down upon the cross and built up again three days later at the Resurrection.  He serves us not only as the High Priest who would make the sacrifice and offering for the forgiveness of sins, but He also serves as the offering itself, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.  As the high priest passed through the curtain to enter the Most Holy Place where the glory of the Lord dwelt, we enter into God’s presence only through Christ.  His body and soul were divided in death as the curtain of the temple was torn.  Due to Christ’s sacrifice, God grants His people faith, hope and love. Where there is forgiveness of theses sins, there is no longer any offering for sin.”  Assurance of our salvation through faith in Christ.

What makes a house worthy of worship and refuge for the sinner is not its outward appearance, but the Word of God. The church building is the location where heaven and earth intersect, for God visits His people through His Word and Sacraments.  While this is always the main focus, our buildings ought to reflect this reality.  Our attention is on the pulpit and lectern, from where God’s Word is proclaimed.  On the altar where the body and blood of Christ are delivered to His people. On the font where the Lord takes a person dead in the sins and brings them to life and enters into the family of God.  The shape of our building is that of the cross. Stained glass windows reflect symbols of our faith. Above all, the cross of Christ.

These things are here for the sole purpose to teach, to preach, and to deliver Christ crucified to His people so that we may endure to the end. It is through His means of grace that not only He calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. He preserves us in this faith through His presence with us still.

Pray for God’s Church on earth. Pray for the victims in Paris. Pray for our missionaries at home and overseas as they proclaim the gospel to all nations. Pray for those who place themselves in harm's way as they try to protect us. Pray for the end, and endurance for the Advent of our King. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.