Expectations Check-In
“All the signs that have been given add up to one conclusion: the End cannot be prepared for. That is because the End is ultimately not a “then” but a mysteriously present now. The sole preparation for the End is watchfulness and faithfulness in the present.” – James R. Edwards
“It was, and still is, true to say that the Parousia (literally “arrival” in Greek) is at hand- and indeed this, so far from being an embarrassing mistake on the part either of Jesus or the early Church, is an essential part of the Church’s faith. Ever since the Incarnation men have been living in the last days.”- Cranfield
Ms. Kathleen, our fearless youth leader, has the privilege and challenge of working with 5th-12th graders at HLAC. For the most part, they are an energetic but respectful group that has a lot of fun but also gets after disciplemaking. On occasion, these young people have had some out of bounds behavior. If such behavior persists, Ms. Kathleen has something she calls an “expectations check-in.” This is a very straight forward laying out of the dos and don’ts for students in terms of acceptable and appropriate behavior and those behaviors which will simply not be tolerated. All in all, these “expectations check-in” moments are unpleasant enough that they are rare and avoided at all costs by the youth who attend.
As I studied for last week’s message, I was struck by the reality of how little we hear about the exhortations in Jesus’ end times predictions, if you can call Mark 13 that. It seems we should give more attention to all that Jesus said with certainty and clarity than get lost trying to trace out the matters which are ambiguous. I say this because, even after 2,000 years or so of study there is no firm agreement on certain ‘signs of the times’ which Jesus points to as important markers of the last days. What is clear is that to claim to follow Christ in the last days will be painful, hard, difficult and require vigilance at every step. Persecution, false teachings and false messiahs, hardship and general chaos will be ours in the last days. Wars, earthquakes, and the like will be commonplace until the end comes. When one sees Jesus’ comments in this way, what comes forward is not so much a timeline but a way to live. This is an “expectations check-in” so that when the end comes there is not a surprised church. Jesus’ answer to the disciples ‘when’ question is more about their behavior until the end than an answer to their question. If anything, Jesus makes clear that when is a fruitless question (Mark 13:32-33). Our focus has to be on what. What can we do to live as faithful followers until the end? The end is coming, even now it is right on the threshold. How then shall we live? Not seeking comfort and convenience in earth’s fleeting days. Rather in following Jesus no matter the cost. Living as witnesses in a world that cannot accept us because it did not accept our Master either. Praying. Watching. Waiting. Living with expectancy that the pain and suffering of living for Jesus now is overshadowed by the eternity that follows in the new heavens and new earth. In closing, I think that Jesus’ point (and the one Mark’s original persecuted audience would’ve heard loud and clear), is this: “Be faithful no matter what comes!” All this in mind, I would challenge you to meditate on these words from Colossians 3 as you go through this week: Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. (Colossians 3:1-4, NLT) Blessings on you as you watch and wait faithfully until the end comes.