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Sound & Season is a daily audio devotional designed to connect the routine moments of life to the rhythms of the Church seasons.
This is Sound and Season. It's Friday, the 33rd day of Lent. Our passage today comes from the gospel of Mark chapter 13 verses 24 through 37. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken, and then they will see the son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the 4 winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. From the fig tree, learn its lesson.
Jeffrey Heine:As soon as its branches become tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near at the very gates. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and Earth will pass away, and my words will not pass away, But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the sun, but only the father. Be on guard.
Jeffrey Heine:Keep awake, for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey. When he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning, lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all, stay awake.
Jeffrey Heine:This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Our reflection for today comes from the 2nd century church father, Tertullian. If you examine this whole passage of scripture, from the inquiry of the disciples down to the parable of the fig tree, you will find that it makes sense at every point in connection with the coming of the son of man. He will bring both sorrow and joy.
Jeffrey Heine:The son of man is coming in the midst of both calamities and promises, both the grief of the nations and the longing of the saints. He is the common element in both. He who is common to both will end the 1 by inflicting judgment on the nations and will commence the other by fulfilling the longings of the saints. And from Saint Augustine, the first coming of Christ the Lord, God's Son and our God, was in obscurity. The second will be in sight of the whole world.
Jeffrey Heine:When he came in obscurity, no one recognized him but his own servants. When he comes openly, he will be known by both the good and the bad. When he came in obscurity, it was to be judged. When he comes openly, it will be to judge. He was silent at his trial, as the prophets foretold.
Jeffrey Heine:Silent when accused, he will not be silent as judge. Even now, he does not keep silent if there is anyone to listen, But it says, he will not keep silent then, because his voice will be acknowledged, even by those who despise it. Lord, hear our prayer, and let our cry come to you. Let us pray. Lord God, whose son our savior Jesus Christ triumphed over the powers of death, prepares for us a place in his kingdom now.
Jeffrey Heine:Grant that we who this day have given thanks for his resurrection, may we praise you in your kingdom forever. Oh lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Glory to the father, and to the son, and to the holy spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.