Luke 21:5-11
5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, [Jesus] said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” 8 And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.
9 “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
“As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
This world is spectacular. Whether I’m looking at snow-capped mountains, or out across the vast ocean, or through a delicate spiderweb, nature is dazzling. I’m also amazed at the beauty and longevity of many things made by human hands. It’s hard to imagine the end of all things when you’re looking at a 4,000 year old building that’s still standing.
“As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
And yet, Jesus reminds us that all of this will pass away one day. In the vast space of eternity, all of human history happens in the blink of an eye.
That knowledge can be disturbing for us because it reminds us of our own mortality. It’s also disorienting because, if everything is going to pass away, there’s nothing on earth in which we can place our hope. Disorienting as that is, it is also liberating.
“On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.”
When our hope is built on Christ alone, we can accept the transitory nature of everything in this life without fear. Living in the sure and certain promise of the Resurrection sets us free to live life in all its fullness, enjoying all that this beautiful world has to offer without holding anything too tightly.
Prayer: Lord God: As strange as it sounds, knowing that everything will one day pass away brings me closer to You. Thank you for holding me in the palm of Your hand. AMEN