GOSPEL READING:
Luke 17:20-2520 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, `Behold, here it is!' or `There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." 22 And he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, `Behold, there!' or `Behold, here!' Do not go, do not follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of man be in his day. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
Meditation: What can lightning tell us about the coming
of the Lord and his kingdom? The Jews in Jesus' time were watching
in great anticipation for some sign which would indicate when the
Messiah would appear to establish the kingdom of God. The
Pharisees' question on this matter was intended to test Jesus
since they did not accept him as the Messiah. Jesus surprised them
with the answer that the kingdom or reign of God was already here!
Jesus spoke of the coming of God's kingdom as both a present event
and an event which would be manifested at the end of time.
The Day of Judgment and God's final verdict
The "Day of the Lord" was understood in the Old Testament as the
time when God would manifest his glory and power and overthrow the
enemies of his people, Israel. The prophet Amos declared that the
"Day" also meant judgment for Israel as well as the nations (Amos
5:18-20). The prophet Joel proclaimed that at this "Day" those who
truly repented would be saved, while those who remained enemies of
the Lord, whether Jew or Gentile, would be punished (see Joel 2).
Image of lightning and the sudden appearance of Christ on
Judgment Day
Why did Jesus associate lightning with the "Day of the Lord"? In
the arid climate of Palestine, storms were infrequent and
seasonal. They often appeared suddenly or unexpectedly, seemingly
out of nowhere, covering everything in thick darkness. With little
or no warning lightning filled the sky with its piercing flashes
of flaming light. Its power struck terror and awe in those who
tried to flee from its presence. Jesus warned the Pharisees that
the "Son of man" (a title for the Messiah given in the Book of
Daniel 7:13-15) would come in like manner, quite suddenly and
unexpectedly, on the clouds of heaven to bring God's judgment on
the "Day of the Lord". No special sign will be needed to announce
his appearance. Nor will his presence and power be veiled or
hidden, but all will recognize him as clearly as the lightning in
the sky.
Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead
Jesus identified himself with the "Day of the Lord". "Son of man"
was understood as a Messianic title for the one who would come not
only to establish God's kingdom but who would come as Judge of the
living as well as the dead. Jesus points to his second coming when
he will return to complete the work of restoration and final
judgment. While we do not know the time of his return, we will not
mistake it when it happens. It will be apparent to all, both
believers and non-believers as well.
When the Pharisees asked Jesus what sign would indicate the "Day
of the Lord", Jesus replied that only one sign would point to that
day and that sign was Jesus himself. Jesus surprised the Jews of
his time by announcing that God's kingdom was already present
among them in his very person - the Son of God sent from the
Father to redeem the world from sin and corruption.
Our hope is anchored in God's kingdom - not the passing
kingdoms of this present world
In the Lord Jesus we see both the power and the glory of
God's kingdom. His divine power overthrew the powers of darkness
(the kingdom of Satan and all who opposed God's rule) and sin
(which corrupts and enslaves the human mind, heart, and will to
the forces of evil and wrongdoing). Jesus knew that the only way
to victory was through the cross. On that cross he defeated death
and canceled the debt of our sins. The victory of his cross opens
the way for us to live as sons and daughters of God and citizens
of his heavenly kingdom of peace, joy, and righteousness (moral
goodness). Is your hope and future securely anchored to God's
heavenly kingdom?
Lord Jesus Christ, may your kingdom come and may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Be the Ruler of my heart and the Master of my life that I may always live in the freedom of your love and truth.
Psalm 119:89-91,130,135,175
89 For ever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day; for all things are your servants.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
135 Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.
175 Let me live, that I may praise you, and let your ordinances help me.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Don't
pursue human glory, by John Cassian (360-435 AD)
"If the devil has been driven out and sin no longer reigns, then
the kingdom of God is established in us. As it is written in the
Gospel, 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation,
nor will they say, 'Lo here,' or 'Lo, there.' Truly I say to you
that the kingdom of God is within you' (Luke 17:20-21). The
only thing that can be 'within us' is knowledge or ignorance of
the truth and the affection for righteousness or sin by which we
prepare our hearts to be a kingdom of Christ or the devil. St.
Paul described the nature of this kingdom in this way: 'For
the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Romans 14:17). If the
kingdom of God is within us and is righteousness, peace and joy,
then someone that remains in these is surely within the kingdom of
God. Someone that remains in unrighteousness, conflict and the
melancholy that kills the life of the spirit is already a citizen
of the devil's kingdom, of hell and of death. These are the signs
whether it is God's kingdom or the devil's." (excerpt
from CONFERENCE 1.13.5)
[John Cassian was an early 5th century
church father who lived for several years with the monks in
Bethlehem and Egypt before founding a monastery in southern
Gaul.]
