An Old-fashioned Faith

Jesus’ warning of things to come begins to sound like the litanies we hear on the Eleven O’clock Nightly News. “These things are bound to happen,” Jesus says, “but do not be perturbed … do not be frightened by them … not a hair of your head will be harmed. By patient endurance you will save your lives.”

Jesus is pleading with His followers to be patient with Him; to persevere in the faith, even in the midst of all the terrible calamities he tells them to expect as part of life. “When disaster strikes, don’t give up” he is saying. “Keep My Word; the Kingdom of God will come in its fullness; nothing can defeat God’s purposes; no evil force can ultimately thwart God’s plan for your fulfillment.”

A man flying a small aircraft encountered engine trouble and was forced to land in the middle of a desert wasteland. Stranded without water, the unfortunate man trudged through the desert for hours until…