Parents warn their little children not to talk to strangers. Later we are warned about falling for scams. We are told “if something sounds too good to be true, it is.” Though we’d like to think that all is good in the world, the truth is that there is an ongoing conflict between good and evil. And it is not always clear who are the “good guys” and who are the “bad guys.” Scam artists have perfected the art of making themselves look like they are out for our best interests.
As we enter the last week of the liturgical year, we listen to Jesus talk about the end of times (Luke 21:5-11).
“While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones…Jesus said, ‘All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone…”
Here Jesus is talking about the destruction of Jerusalem and the demolition of the temple. We do not know what kind of signs took place prior to that event in the year 70 A.D. No doubt the people of Jerusalem were in denial that something terrible was going to happen even up to the month before the Romans invaded their city.
Jesus used this opportunity to talk about another end that was going to take place in the distant future. The people asked him what sign would precede this event.
“He answered, ‘See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name saying, “I am he” and “The time has come.” Do not follow them!”
The first sign Jesus speaks of is the rise of counterfeit messiahs. He says there will be “many” such people. They will claim, not only that they were sent by God, but that they are the Messiah himself. Their message will be urgent. They will say the final “time has come.” People will be alarmed at their message and be inclined to follow them. Such counterfeit messiahs will be scam artists who profit by playing on the fears of people. Jesus gives a simple word of advice: “Do not follow them.”
Today, as in ages past there are those who claim to be “saviors” of one kind or another. Driven by their own conceit, greed or craving for power, they will convince people to follow them. They are deceivers. And we know who the author of all deceit is. We know the one tricked human beings from the beginning to buy into an alternative plan rather than God’s. This “Arch Deceiver” dresses up his followers to look like Jesus and tries to lure people away from the one and only Messiah, the one and only Son of God.
When there is chaos and confusion in the world people start looking for “saviors.” Jesus reminds us not to follow anyone but him. He alone is savior. He rescues us not from the chaos of the world, but from the chaos in our own hearts. When we allow Jesus to be Lord of our lives, he plants his own peace inside us—a peace that surpasses all understanding. The false messiahs do not have the power to give us inner peace. Those who are duped into following them will reap only more chaos and confusion.
It is important in times like ours to stay grounded in Jesus. As violence and war continue to increase, we can maintain inner peace, because we are united to the Prince of Peace himself.
Jesus spoke of wars and insurrections during the final days and told us:
“Do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.”
Finally, he said that there will be
“…awesome sights and mighty signs from the sky.”
How important it is that we do not get so caught up in the world around us that we lose our connection with Jesus. He is the Shepherd who guides his sheep. Jesus is leading us through the wilderness of our times home to the Father. This is not a time to look for other “shepherds.”
