Gospel | Luke 21:25-36 (with Nick Locke)

About this Episode

Opening Song:
Be On the Lookout by Caroline Cobb Smith and Paul Zach

Lyrics:
Lift up your head
Be on the lookout
Wake from your bed
Don’t fall asleep

Lift up your head
He’s coming soon now
Get yourself ready
For the coming of the King

Could a mother forget her children?
Could a husband forget his wife?
How much more, then, will He remember?
Will He come and set things right?

Lift up your head
Be on the lookout
Wake from your bed
Don’t fall asleep

Lift up your head
He’s coming soon now
Get yourself ready
For the coming of the King

Cast aside all the works of darkness
Live as children of the day
Light your lamps and keep them burning
Till we see our bridegroom’s face

Lift up your head
Be on the lookout
Wake from your bed
Don’t fall asleep

Lift up your head
He’s coming soon now
Get yourself ready
For the coming of the King

See those fields, they’re ripe for harvest
See the work that’s left undone
Take to the world his love and justice
Singin’ “Let his kingdom come!”
Oh let his kingdom come!

Passage:
25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

(Luke 21:25–36 ESV)

Musical Reflection:
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, tune by Rowland Hugh Prichard

Reflection Notes:
This jubilant Advent text was written by the well-known hymn writer, Charles Wesley. While several tunes have been used over the years, one of the most popular for the Advent season is HYFRIDOL, a lilting Welsh melody composed by Rowland Hugh Prichard in the early nineteenth century.

Prayer:
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of
darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of
this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit
us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come
again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the
dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.