Hope remains

Hope in God, I will praise Him still.

5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.-Luke21:5-11

Jesus gave signs when Jerusalem's destruction would happen. There would be false prophets, wars and uprisings. And if these were still not enough, there's more. Nation against nation, powerful earthquakes, famines and plagues in various places, and fearful and great signs from the skies. When Jesus said to the weeping women, "Weep not for me" there was perhaps sadness in it considering that Israel would fall and many would be slaughtered without mercy.

But Jesus was not scaring the people. Rather, He was strengthening them with His words, "Be not afraid." Jesus was imparting Hope to the people of Israel. A remnant would always live to survive. A remnant would always live to tell the tale - the tale of Hope. When all else is lost, Hope remains. And this hope shall strengthen us and lead us home to God. We are never alone for Jesus shares our sufferings. He weeps with us and accompanies us in carrying our cross. His words "Be not afraid" continues to ring in our hearts as we face life's trials bravely.

Image courtesy: Francesco Hayez (Destruction of Jerusalem), artist