Daniel 12:1-3 / Hebrews 10:11-14, 18 / Mark 13:24-32
One of the questions about life that we rather not think about is this:
What is it that I am afraid of?
Of course, there are many things in life that we are afraid of.
When it comes to insects and such, some are afraid of lizards, others are afraid of cockroaches, and others are afraid of spiders.
But those are just a part of the spectrum of fears.
There are some who are afraid of heights, while others have stage-fright and others are afraid of crowds.
To put it plainly, there is always something in life that we are afraid of.
In Singapore, there is this general phenomenon of “kia-su” the fear of losing out. But whatever form of fears, the fact is that when it happens, we will lose control, we may even melt down and chaos can set in.
It is like when the lights suddenly go off, and it is total darkness, and we begin to panic.
In the gospel, Jesus talked about a rather disturbing and frightening situation.
He said that in those days, after a time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will fall from heaven and other frightening sights.
As we think about it, distress is already bad enough.
Distress means that our lives are disturbed and we are displaced by all sorts of problems.
And it is not just about lizards or spiders, and it is more than the fear of heights or crowds.
It is about chaos and confusion, and our faith is shaken.
And as if the distress is not bad enough, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness and the stars will fall from heaven.
In other words, after the distress, there will be darkness, a deep darkness that brings out all the fears in us.
It is like one bad thing happening after another.
As we think about it, this is not something new that Jesus is talking about.
We have experienced bad things happening in our lives, and it is one bad thing after another.
It is like being retrenched, and then getting into debt, and then a serious illness comes along.
It is one distress after another, and the darkness becomes deeper and tighter.
But in times like these, let us remember that verse from Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.”
Yes, we need to be still and that all the distress and darkness will pass.
Once a powerful king called upon all of his wise men and asked them, "Is there a mantra or suggestion which works in every situation, in every circumstance, in every place and in every time. In every joy, every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? One answer for all questions? Something that can help me when none of you is available to advise me? Tell me is there any mantra?"
All the wise men were puzzled by the King’s question. They thought and thought. After a lengthy discussion, an old wise man suggested something that appealed to all of them. They went to the king and gave him something written on paper, with a condition that the king was not to see it out of curiosity.
Only in extreme danger, when the king finds himself alone and there seems to be no way, only then he can see it. The king put the paper in his bracelet.
Some time later, the enemies attacked the kingdom. The king and his army fought bravely but lost the battle. The king had to flee on his horse. The enemies were following him, and they were getting closer and closer.
Suddenly the king found himself at the edge of a cliff. Underneath there was a rocky valley thousands of feet deep. If he jumped down, he would be finished, and he could not return because it was a small road, and the sound of enemy’s horses was approaching fast. The king panicked. There seemed to be no way out.
Then suddenly he saw his bracelet shining in the sun, and he remembered the message hidden in the bracelet. He opened the paper and read the message. The message was – “THIS TOO SHALL PASS”
The king read it again and again. Suddenly something struck him - Yes! This too will pass. Only a few days ago, he was enjoying his kingdom. He was the mightiest of all the kings. Yet today, the kingdom and all his pleasures have gone. He is now trying to escape from enemies. Like those days of luxuries have gone, this day of danger too will pass. A calm came on his face. He kept standing there. The place where he was standing was full of natural beauty. He had never known that such a beautiful place was also a part of his kingdom.
The revelation of the message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forgot about those following him. After a few minutes he realized that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains and were nowhere near him.
The king was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He defeated the enemy and regained his empire. When he returned to his empire after victory, he was received with much fanfare. The whole capital was rejoicing in the victory.
Everyone was in a festive mood. Flowers were being showered on king from every house, from every corner. People were dancing and singing. For a moment the king said to himself, “I am one of the bravest and greatest kings. It is not easy to defeat me.” With all the reception and celebration, an ego was emerging in him.
Suddenly his bracelet flashed in the sunlight and reminded him of the message. He opened it and read it again: “THIS TOO SHALL PASS”.
Yes, all the distress and darkness will pass but God's Word will not pass away.
Even heaven and earth will pass away, but God's Word will never pass away.
So, when we are faced with distress after distress, and the fear and darkness gets deeper and tighter, let us remember this.
Let us remember to be still and know that God is with us.
The distress and the darkness and the fear will pass away, but God's Word and His promises will not pass away.
And God's Word and promise to us is this: God is here to stay, and He will not go away.