Stephen Kaufman, M.D., Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)
Reflections on the Lectionary: Luke 21:25-36
This passage is an apocalyptic vision of great tribulations, evidently
preceding “redemption” of Jesus’ followers. Jesus declares, “Truly, I say to
you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place” (Luke
21:32; see also Mark 13:30). If we are to understand that Jesus is
predicting the destruction of the world as we know it and the Final
Judgment, then was Jesus and/or the writers of Mark and Luke wrong?
This is the conclusion of many New Testament scholars, including Albert
Schweitzer and Rudolf Bultmann. Some, such as N.T. Wright, have argued that
the apocalyptic vision relates to the disastrous revolt against the Romans,
which culminated in the destruction of the Temple.
I offer another theory. Perhaps Jesus recognized that these times, as with
nearly all other times in human history, would see great tumult. Humans have
found it difficult if not impossible to avoid violence. Sometimes that
violence is limited by the scapegoating process, which tends to restrict
violence to a smaller number of victims. But scapegoating violence does not
eliminate all other violence in the community, and of course scapegoating
violence is still violence.
Nearly every generation thinks that it is experiencing times of strife,
because what one experiences is far more vivid than what one has heard
about. Jesus was warning his followers that his ministry would not
immediately result in peace and harmony, though he did offer a path toward
communal peace for those who chose it. There are different kinds of
“redemption,” and one is to be redeemed from the human attraction to
violence and scapegoating. Only with this kind of redemption can there be
communities of peace.
Go on to: Reflections on
the Lectionary: Philippians 4:4-7
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