Is Jesus coming soon?

Many Christian friends have said that the situations in the world indicate that Jesus will soon return. They point to wars and earthquakes as signs of that event. However, in reading Luke’s gospel this morning, there are some signs that have not yet happened, convincing me that we really have no idea when our Lord will return. Speculation and signs aside, it seems to me that my concentration should be on what I do know. For instance, Jesus pointed to the religious people of His day and their arrogant pride:

And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” (Luke 20:45–47)

By this, I recognize an ego problem that can pop up in my own heart. I like to be honored. It happened all day yesterday at a quilter’s retreat where I was put on a pedestal and treated like the ‘star of the show.’ It felt good, partly because of great fatigue and concern for our granddaughter (who is having two more surgeries today) but also that constant attack from Satan and the flesh that tells me I am worthless. Thinking about and being what Jesus wants is more important than trying to predict when He will show up, especially since He said no one will know.

The next verses emphasize another attitude related to humility, rather than arrogance and pride:

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1–4)

She gave out of her poverty, not out of her skills, talents, or popularity. Feeling like the ‘star of the show’ had nothing to do with her generosity. It was there, regardless of what the other people thought of her. This tells me to watch my attitude when people try to put me in a place of honor for what I do, rather than Jesus being pleased with me for loving obedience even when I have very little to give.

After this, Jesus tells of when He will return. The sequence includes what many think are signs, but He includes something that is not happening yet, at least not in our part of the world: 

He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 
But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness…  You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake." (Luke 21:10–19)
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. (Luke 21:20)
And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Luke 21:25–28)

Mixed in with this outline, Jesus tells me how to think. This suggests I’ve time to practice and to deepen my faith. He says:

Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict… But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.

PRAY: Jesus, I realize how often I think about “what should I say” ahead of time, and how easily my endurance is more like impatience, or how quickly I fall apart with life hands me severities, like this past week of nearly losing a beloved family member. Being ready for Your return requires much more than trying to ascertain when that will happen. I’m trusting You to work in my heart so I am truly what You want me to be when You arrive!