Malachi says “Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire” (Malachi 3:19-20a). Right on! We can get behind that – maybe particularly in situations where we feel things are not as they should be.
Jesus, as he often does, points out it’s not always that simple. In today’s gospel (Luke 21:5-19), we hear him warning the disciples (and those that came after) that they will face wars and insurrections, earthquakes, famines, and plagues. Sound familiar? And he further warns that in such times we are at great risk: “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!” In such circumstances those who claim to be leading in Jesus’ name cannot always be trusted.
So what to do? Just keep our heads down, our noses clean, and hope that this too shall pass? The situation that Luke addresses doesn’t allow for that option – “they will seize and persecute you”, “You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends”, “You will be hated by all because of my name”. This is not a scenario in which we keep quiet and hope no one notices us. We are expected to step forward and engage. And Jesus is telling us to have confidence. Even if the very worst happens: “they will put some of you to death”, then God is still looking after us. “Not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
That doesn’t make it any easier, but hopefully it will boost our confidence. But we’re still left with the challenge of figuring out who to trust in such dangerous and chaotic times. Paul has perhaps the clearest answer to this challenge. He is always looking to provide practical and specific advice. He was familiar with the kind of circumstances for which Luke was writing – after all he was one of those who did face the worst and was killed for following Jesus.
Paul tells us that the followers of Jesus are distinguished by the ‘fruit of the Spirit’: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
If we choose to follow people who demonstrate those characteristics then we stand a good chance of avoiding being deceived in chaotic times.