Who can stand before the Son of Man?
Luke 21:34-36. November 26, 2022 - Saturday, 34th Week
A few chapters earlier, Jesus told us how the flood overtook the inhabitants of Noah's world and how destruction fell upon the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah (Luke 17:26-30). In the words of Jesus, "they were eating, drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, marrying and being given in marriage" absolutely unaware of the incoming disaster. It seems that the same took place in the years leading to the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 AD. Life was going on as usual and probably nobody even imagined that God would allow his chosen city to be trampled by the Gentiles. And so, "that day came upon" them suddenly, like a trap.
Amid that business as usual lived a tiny Jewish Christian community of Jerusalem under the leadership of James the Just, the relative of Jesus. It was his leadership that did not allow the community to "grow heavy with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life" (Luke 21:34). According to the fourth-century church historian, Eusebius, James was known for his austere lifestyle, constant prayer and "frequently found upon his knees begging forgiveness for the people". Although he died in Jerusalem as a martyr, falsely accused by a high priest of breaking the law, the entire community was able to escape from the city across the Jordan.
Many who hear today's passage immediately think about the "end of the world". However, it is important to remember that the biblical story of salvation does not end with the end of the world; it ends with the new world described as the new heaven and new earth. And the one who rules this new heaven and earth is the Son of Man. It is before the Son of Man that we are going to appear in order, as Saint Paul says, "so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad" (2 Cor 5:10).
The Psalmist asks: "who can climb the mountain of the Lord? Who can stand in God's holy place?"(Ps 24:3). And the answer he provides is: "The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god" (Ps 24:4). And who can stand before the Son of Man? Two groups of people. The first one is Jesus' brothers and sisters, his faithful followers, who obeyed him and sacrificed everything for him and his Gospel. When they stand before the Son of Man, they will hear the encouraging words: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades"(Rev 1:17-18). The second group are those among the nations who showed mercy to Jesus' least brothers and sisters. While standing before the glorious Son of Man, they will hear: "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world"(Matt 25:34).
Let us pray then, that we will be able to avoid the traps of life and be among those who can stand before the Son of Man, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.