Dangerous talk

Here's this week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:

That rabble-rouser Jesus is at it again! In this week's Bible reading from Luke 21:25-36, he’s talking about the powers of the heavens being shaken. Who are the powers of the heavens? In Jesus time that was Rome. For Christians, Rome represented everything that was wrong with the world. Shaking up the powers of the heavens pointed to a change in the way things worked. It offered hope to those who lived under the rule of tyrants.

And what were the instructions to those who were waiting in hope? Wait. Be patient. Pray. The season will come soon enough. Just keep alert and don’t get all wrapped up in the worries of life.

No call to rise up and fight.
No call to stock up on food and water and to build bomb shelters.
No call to any kind of violence at all.

It’s as if Jesus is saying, “Put down your weapons. Stop expecting the worst. Live focused on me and the hope that I bring.

Dangerous talk.