The birth is near

November 15, 2009
Pentecost 24
Mark 13:1-8
The birth is near

As I was driving through Arizona recently, I started to see signs for “The Thing” about 150 miles out. See “The Thing” what is the Thing?! After seeing these signs one after the other, I started to get sucked in. What is “The Thing”? I must know what “The Thing” is? I couldn’t think about anything else, only “The Thing”! We kept getting closer… “The Thing” 30 miles, then 20, 15, 10 … “almost there!”
Then, as we pulled in to the lot we saw all the bright signs “The Thing.” We went into the gas station, and the cashier said $1 to see the Thing. Well worth it! I must see the Thing! We followed the signs, “The Thing” this way… We opened the door… walked through, and then… Well I can’t tell you what the Thing is… you have to see it for yourself. I will tell you though, that the Thing was not quite what I expected…

Has this ever happened to you? Did life not go quite the way you expected it would? In today’s Gospel lesson, the disciples say: “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” They are fascinated by the magnitude and the beauty of the Temple in Jerusalem. Like walking through downtown LA, we imagine the disciples with their heads up, “wow, look at the size of this building!”
For the people at the time, the Temple was the Thing. This is where God was found. The Temple (which was being constructed) was built of massive stone and we can imagine was quite a sight.

The disciples had expectations in the Temple, this marvelous, beautiful structure.
Imagine the disciples surprise when Jesus said: “Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” Then after being right there looking up at the buildings, Jesus and his disciples moved out to the Mount of Olives. When I was in Jerusalem back in May, I remember being in the city, looking up at the buildings. It was an intense place to be, lots of people, merchants, soldiers…
Then when you go out to the Mount of Olives, you can see the whole city. On the Mount of Olives, it’s a lot quieter, it’s peaceful. Here Jesus tells the disciples of calamities to come, and later he tells of the persecutions they would face.

This is not what the disciples had in mind when they followed Jesus. The disciples had expectations that Jesus would be another King, like Kings of this world, and they would be at the right and left. Later, Jesus is crucified on the cross along with two thieves and the disciples are persecuted and even killed for following Jesus. The Temple eventually came crashing down, and for the disciples, their expectations, and their whole world came crashing down.
But in the midst of the struggle…something new was happening…

In the texts today, we have apocalyptic images, wars, earthquakes, famines…
I imagine you’ve seen previews for the new movie that just came out this week, 2012. According to the Mayan calendar, the world is going to end in 2012. So we’re hearing a lot about the end of the world. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I know that there is a lot of chaos and destruction. What are we to make of these apocalyptic images… they are troubling.
But Jesus says something very intriguing, he says, “this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.” War, destruction, chaos… Jesus describes this as a birth. We hear “The End is near” a lot… but what about “The Birth is near.” It may seem strange, but the Apocalspe, the End of the world as we know it is actually good news!

“The Birth is near” The old age is passing away, Jesus is bringing a new age
When we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy Kingdom Come” we are praying for this Kingdom. A new Reign where there death, poverty, destruction and hate are no more, but where there is only love, peace and justice for all.
Jesus tells us that the Temple will come crashing down… But out of destruction comes the construction of something new, out of death comes life. The cross is a paradox. Out of the shame of a criminals death, comes the glory; out of fear comes hope; out of sorrow comes joy. Out of Jesus’ death on the cross comes everlasting life for all. Out of this tragedy, a new world was being born “The birth is near.”

The disciples looked at the Temple and saw the mighty fortress that Herod built
But in Christ, something new was being built. The Temple (which was God’s presence here on earth) eventually came crashing down. The stones aren’t our proof that God is here… but Christ is.
Sometimes it may seem like things are crashing down around us, especially in these tough times…Sometimes our expectations come crashing down…
But it might just be the beginning of something new. As the psalmist says, sorrow may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning

As a part of my seminary training in Chicago I worked at St. Andrew Lutheran Church a multicultural, bilingual church in West Chicago. At St. Andrew there was a fire that burnt the church building down. Even though the church lost their building… it just brought the congregation closer together, even despite cultural and language barriers. They worshiped in a nearby school, and the church was doing amazing ministry, even despite not having a building. God was doing something new.

Sometimes stones may fall. But the church is more than just the building, the church is body of Christ. Just like here at Trinity. This building has certainly gone through its share of disasters, earthquakes, fires, and other struggles…but Christ continues to do new and exciting things in us and through us. It may not always be exactly how we expect it, but something new and exciting is happening.
Stones may fall, but the church lives on. Amen.