A Timeless Message

You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls. Luke 21. 5 - 19

In today's gospel according to Luke, Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple, the endtime signs and the persecution of the disciples. He warns the people of false prophets who will lead them astray and "parents and brothers, relatives and friends" who will betray them, hate them and even put some of them to death." Many of us have found these warnings to come true over and over again throughout the ages...in history and even in our personal lives.

But the greatest most beautiful message in this passage is what Jesus says at the end. "But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls." Over and over and over again, we hear Jesus saying all will be well. If you listen carefully to people's stories you will hear about their endurance, their perseverance and their prevailing.

How is this happening in the world around you? Where do you see people in such situations finding the opportunity to testify and gain their souls? How in your personal and inner soul world are you experiencing struggles you must endure to gain your soul?

May this day be one where you savor the timeless message of Jesus that he will be with us until the end of the world...and in so doing enable our endurance and the salvation of our souls.