Stay on Target

Luke 21:5-19

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, “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.” They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” 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. “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.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.

What was the most important thing of 1977? Jimmy Carter being sworn in as president? No. Elvis’s death? Sad indeed, but no. George Willig, brother of our own Steve Willig, climbing The World Trade Center? Close, but still no. The most important thing that happened in 1977 was the release of the movie Star Wars.  So what does that movie from 1977 have to do with this less-than-cheerful Gospel lesson, you ask? Well, let me tell you!  

In the context of the Jesus story, this bit from today happens as Jesus arrives in Jerusalem. Judas is getting ready to betray him and Peter is about to deny him and Jesus is about to walk into a horrible gauntlet filled with betrayal, denial, injustice, and pain.  All the while, the people in power are moving things into position to bring the full force of the Roman Empire down on Jesus which will lead to only one possible, inevitable, end... Jesus’ death on a cross.  

In the Star Wars story, this is Gospel lesson is like the scene where the stolen plans reveal just one weakness in the Death Star.  By flying through an impossible gauntlet and hitting a tiny target… no bigger than a Womprat back home... they MIGHT destroy the Death Star. Han Solo is packing up to leave because this plan is sure to get them all killed and all the while, the Death Star is moving into position to bring the full force of the Galactic Empire down on the rebellion leading to only one, possible, inevitable end… the death of the Rebellion.  

In the Star Wars story things are BAD. BUT! We KNOW that Luke’s X-Wing fighter makes it through the gauntlet of laser canons, tie fighters, the Dark Side and through the relentless progress of the Galactic Empire’s death and terror machine… The Death Star.  We KNOW Gold Five says “STAY ON TARGET, STAY ON TARGET!” and Obi Wan’s voice sounds from beyond the grave saying, “Luke! Let go! Use the Force” and that Luke turns off his targeting computer and fires using only The Force.  We KNOW the Death Star is destroyed, and what had seemed absolutely impossible for a million different reasons… happens! The Death Star explodes into a zillion pieces.  

And we know where the Jesus story goes from here as well. We KNOW that in spite of traps set by the powerful… in spite of being betrayed and denied, Jesus “stays on target.” We KNOW he makes his way through the impossible gauntlet of a Roman Governor, Roman collaborators, and Roman legions and even through the relentless pursuit of the Roman Empire’s death and terror machine… The Cross.  We KNOW... that even with all of THAT working against him, this story ends with Jesus being raised from the dead and Death being destroyed forever.

And so my fellow followers of Jesus and members of the Rebel Alliance. My fellow battlers against the dark side and holders of hope and light in the midst of hopelessness and darkness; my reminder for you this day, is not to get stuck in just one chapter or just one scene and forget how the story ends!  Don’t forget how the Star Wars Story ends.  Don’t forget how the Jesus story ends and don’t forget how YOUR story ends either!  Because I can see all that is wrong.  Children in cages, climate change, gun violence, lies and betrayals and ugliness at the highest levels.  I know that this particular chapter of OUR story is filled with 24 hour news proclamations that “The End is Near” that nation is fighting against nation and that natural disasters and disasters caused by human brokenness are epidemic.  BUT I also know, THAT is not how OUR story ends!  

I KNOW how easy it is to get stuck in just one less-than-cheerful chapter of this life.  A chapter filled with disasters, betrayals or family members who use the dark side of Tofurky in a plot to destroy the joy of Thanksgiving! So we too need to remember that these sorts of stories are not just tall tales meant for an ancient people or for a galaxy far, far away.  THESE stories are meant for us too!  They are made not just out of words and film but crafted with God from Divine promise… infinitely stronger stuff than just human imagination or hope filled dreams!  THESE stories have been made for you and for me, so that we might SEE BEYOND these less-than-cheerful chapters of life and hold on to the Divine promise of light and abundant life that we have been given in Christ!

It’s healthy to honestly acknowledge the less-than-cheerful chapters of this life.  And I’ll be the first to admit it can look bleak out there these days!  And when cold grey days are strung together between 14 hours of pitch black darkness it doesn’t do much to improve the view! BUT as we acknowledge the reality of these less-than-cheerful chapters, don’t forget to look beyond that chapter and ALSO acknowledge God’s Divine promise and remember, THIS is not where the story ends!  

This is the take-home for today:  Our calling is to remind one another that we need not to drink full time from the 24 hour news fire hose.  Remind each other that our politically off center uncles will not be converted to a newly enlightened political position, no matter how good the cranberry sauce might be and remind one another that the way the Star Wars story and the Jesus story ends is meant to be a reminder of God’s promise for how OUR stories will end as well.  God will see us through every gauntlet, God will care for us until empires fall, God will make sure the dead will rise, no matter how impossible life might look in any one particular chapter or scene, God will be with us… always. Amen.