{"id":10792,"date":"2025-11-12T08:40:50","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T14:40:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/?p=10792"},"modified":"2025-11-11T21:58:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T03:58:07","slug":"november-16-2025-my-greatest-fear-realized","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/november-16-2025-my-greatest-fear-realized\/","title":{"rendered":"November 16, 2025 – My Greatest Fear… Realized"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prepare<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This lesson from Luke comes just as Jesus turns toward the cross. The dark times he alludes to are not in some far-off future. His arrest and crucifixion are only days away.<\/p>\n

These verses are not a springboard to the future, a map to God\u2019s plan for this world, nor a dire warning to God\u2019s people of what lies ahead. They point not to some future time but to our present fears, addressing the deepest parts of our doubt, grief, anger, guilt, and pain, whether we believe them deserved or not, whether the source lies within us, or with someone who has hurt us deeply.<\/p>\n

Jesus\u2019 words, and more importantly, Jesus\u2019 promise, are about today, this day.<\/p>\n

Opening Exercise:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

What is it you worry or wonder about the most? Your deepest fear, the recurring doubt, or insecurity you hold?<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t share this with the group but be mindful of it as you listen to Jesus speak to his disciples about dark times ahead.\u00a0He gives them only one instruction, listen for it.<\/p>\n

Text Read Aloud<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Luke 21:5-19<\/a><\/p>\n

My Greatest Fear… Realized<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The passage begins with the disciples admiring the beauty of the Jerusalem temple, recently renovated by Herod the\"\"<\/a> Great. It was a structure many saw as a testimony to God\u2019s power and providence, and, as public works often are, a reminder of Herod\u2019s own power and ambition. Things quickly turn grim as Jesus speaks of the temple\u2019s destruction and dark times ahead for not only the world, but for those who follow Jesus\u2019 teaching. He tells them they will endure great suffering.<\/p>\n

The disciples are quick to ask when this will happen and what signs to watch for. However, the signs Jesus speaks of are vague and imprecise enough to fit all times throughout history. There has never been a time when the world was free of war and insurrection. The darker truth is that there is never time when those who follow Jesus have lived problem free lives.<\/p>\n

Jesus never hid the high cost of discipleship. Persecution need not come from those lording over us. Fear, doubt, and insecurity relentlessly pursue us in life. As to suffering and betrayal, those too, wait in ambush throughout our life\u2019s journey. Not in the abstract but in\u00a0our<\/em>\u00a0families,\u00a0our<\/em>\u00a0relationships,\u00a0our<\/em>\u00a0lives.<\/p>\n

Following these grim and dire words, Jesus surprises once again with a prescription and a promise. The odd prescription, \u201c\u2026make up your minds not to prepare\u2026\u201d is more of a non-prescription. In essence, \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it.\u201d And the promise is Jesus himself, \u201c\u2026I will give you words, I will give you wisdom\u2026 not a hair of your head will perish.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reflective Questions<\/strong><\/h4>\n