One of the great perks of being a novelist is the research. Recently, for reasons that are not fully apparent to me, I’ve been devouring anything I can read about Italian orphanages during and after WWII. I’ve even connected with an eighty-year old Neapolitan man through Facebook. Through Google translate, he’s shared about his experience growing up under the care of a Christian family, the Santis, who ran the only Protestant orphanage in Southern Italy, a place called Casa Materna.
Though Casa Materna is now closed, I immediately ordered every book on Amazon about the place. In reading about the Santi family during WWII, I was struck by one situation in particular. Under constant surveillance by Mussolini’s fascist spies, Papa Santi, the founder of Casa Materna, was arrested for his activities and his preaching. At the trial, the judge asked him what he preached every Sunday at the orphanage. In response, Papa Santi began reading directly from the New Testament! His unjust persecution turned into an opportunity for unparalleled witness.
From my position of safety and wealth, WWII might seem like ancient history. But I am really just two generations removed from that reality—a reality that may have looked a lot like Jesus’s prediction of the end of the age.
Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat the truth for His disciples. He explains that the future is going to be full of war, famine, plagues, and natural disasters. He describes the destruction of the temple, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the persecution of believers. It is a picture of great chaos. And yet! In the midst of that chaos, His followers are to stand firm and lift their heads.
Much like Papa Santi in the midst of the chaos of WWII, Jesus’s followers are not to be distracted by the chaos of the kingdoms of the world, but to keep their eyes focused on the kingdom that is coming, one that cannot be shaken. Jesus is our only hope, our only comfort. Despite the chaos of the world, He will still come back. The Son of Man will not leave us as orphans. He will come with power and great glory. He is coming back to rescue us. It is a certainty. He promises, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Luke 21:33).
We shouldn’t expect our future to look much different from what Papa Santi faced in his lifetime. But what Jesus told His disciples is still true for us. We do not need to prepare our defense against the world; we need only to draw close to the Defender.
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33 thoughts on "The Coming of the Son of Man"
Yes! Where we go one, we go all!
Oh how I can be distracted during this pandemic. I can’t let my heart be weighed down by the troubles of the day. Instead I need to draw close to the Defender. In Jesus name I pray.
“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly“ (Lk 21:34). I live in the world. I’m surrounded by the distractions and obsessions. The addictions and excesses. But I can’t let those things define my life. They can’t control my thoughts or distract me from God. My desire for God has to be stronger than my desire for physical satisfaction.
This popped out to me too for the same reasons
Great reading today to remind us that our trust in God is the only defense we need against the hard times and evil in the world!
With so many things we can worry about in our world today it is such a comfort to know we don’t have to focus on/stress about preparing our defense but just focus on being close to our defender! There is such peace in that! Thank you for that reminder!
If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready!
Friends have used this line in the past jokingly, but it seems so fitting for Luke 21. If we prepare our hearts, minds and spirits to endure the spiritual and physical warfare that will take place, as we experience it we too will be unshakeable.
From experience, not allowing our day-to-day weigh us down is easier said than done, but the Word always reignites hope that it too will pass.
May we be encouraged today and always to continue to seek the face of God, asking for wisdom, knowledge and strength to overcome.
Claire-check out the book War in Val d’Orcia by Iris Origo.
I’ve had a lot of difficulty staying focused on the kingdom of God instead of the chaos of the world around me lately. It’s easy to get bogged down by all the things that go against Christian beliefs. This was a great reminder to me that I need to keep my eyes upward! I will continue to let my light shine for others to see to know the goodness of God and our lord and savior Jesus Christ!
WOW! Our women’s Bible study just started Priscilla Shrier ‘s study The Full Amour of God. During our small group discussion, I mentioned are we prepared for what is to come. In America we are seeing an up rise in anti-Christian rhetoric! I said I want to be sure when I am threatened with prison or death, I will be able to stand strong in Christ! I want to be like Papa Santi and instead of pleading for my release, that testify for my Lord!!! It was great to read your synopsis of the passages and explain God will be with us during those moments!! Thank you!!
WOW! My church/women’s Bible study just started doing Priscilla Shrier’s study, the Full Armour of God. After the 1st lesson, we broke down into our small groups. At that time, I mentioned that the day is coming when Chridtian’s in America will be persecuted to point prison
❤
Amen
Words are powerful.
Able to injure or heal,
soften or harden
destroy or give life,
turns us towards or away
Like a linguistic map they guide us.
Words…
The WORD OF GOD.
Words…Alive and Active,
Read and interpreted through the Holy Spirit
Healing, softening, life giving, directing towards good
A living-linguistic map that starts where we are
and leads us to where He wants us to be
if we will only follow.
The WORD OF GOD
presented to us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ
a “birth-day” gift into the kingdom
Taken in both visually and through the heart
poured out verbally and with our hards and feet.
Your Word – always fresh, always new, growing me God.
Thank you for the messages in todays readings.
I lift up these women you have created, and thank you for Your Plan, Your Peace, and Your Presence in our lives.
Praying for you too – your words here really impacted me – thank you ❤
A lot struck me in these passages today- maybe the biggest was the explanation of God shaking the heavens and the earth. Removing all things that CAN be shaken… I don’t think the significance of that concept-shakable- has ever really sunk in. Thought scripture He talks about things that can’t be shaken- His Love, His power, His grip on us… The world is in the midst of constant Spiritual struggle, Spiritual Forces fighting over its inhabitants. Turmoil, pain, disruption WILL come and will be experienced. I’m not promised to always be protected from earthly struggle and pain (though sometimes through grace we are..)- in fact the opposite is true- we’re actually promised we WILL face trials and persecutions, just as He did- but in them to rejoice and take heart because He’s already overcome this world and the end has already been written. I take such a new comfort and stance of humility that He’s listed out what will NOT be shaken and His great love for me is on that list! :) His eternal, final rescue of me is on that list! :) Praying I will not allow the “worries of life”, as it said in Lk 31:24 distract and dull my heart and eyes from the work to be done and the battle to fight and the joy to be lived…
Thank you Claire, it is hard to imagine living during World War II and the suffering borne by so many. Thankful for Papa Santi and those that brought hope and light in such darkness. Trust in our Lord Jesus is light and life. The King of Kings has the victory and as His people we must hold our head up and shine His love and light. Praise God we are not left in darkness and can speak the Word and love those put in our path. This world full of trials and distractions has no power to steal our joy when we trust the lover and Defender of our soul. Thankful for the truths found here my sisters.
For some unknown reason to me, I am unable to reply under specific comments. :-( At any rate–Churchmouse: As always–AMEN!
Stephanie: I relate so deeply with your sentiments. I feel so outcast by worldly standards and those whom I am often working; HOWEVER, I KNOW that my Father in Heaven is always with me, to guide me, comfort me, and show me the way to His Kingdom. I KNOW HE WILL give me ALL the strength and perseverance I need to be a shining light in this dark world until He returns. And when I feel lonely because I don’t fit in…I will count my blessings because that means I am need to be preparing for His return!
I am so thankful for his calming light in the chaos. It is nearly impossible to espace negative events that are occurring in the world because they are on TV, radio, social media, etc. and for me it is easy to get discouraged at the evil in the world. But Jesus tells us to “Stand firm and you will win life.” v. 19 I am so thankful that this earthly life is not
Being “hated” because of Jesus is a fact of my Christian life I need to better accept and better understand. Dare I say embrace? I need not ever act surprised by this truth. Not only will I be hated, the word of God promises my protection and safety in the midst of it. I can walk in peace through the hate.
I think it’s important to recognize how often I strive for the approval of strangers, family, friends, and colleagues. Sometimes it’s not even “hate” that I experience, it’s the absence of verbal reassurance and overwhelming outward validation. Translation: They hate me. Lie. In reality the Lord of my life is the only one who matters. He is the only one worthy of my efforts, the only one who can impact my future, and the only one who can save and protect me as will seasons change. He is my constant. Who am I trying to prove myself to? What am I even trying to prove?? It ain’t cute. None of this is cute.
Lord, help me to care less and less about the opinions of this world as I chase more and more after you, the One opinion that actually matters most. -Amen
❤ so true – thank you for this life changing reminder x
I actually have a review copy of Claire’s book sitting in my to-be-read pile! Very exciting!
What is the title? I want to read it!!!!
I’m so glad that God can fight these battles, because right now I just feel so tired. I’m so glad that I can turn it over to my Father and He will fight for me.
Praying for you Tricia!
Read “Beneath A Scarlet Sky” it’s right up your alley and it’s incredible!!
“We need only to draw close to the defender.”
It’s not in our strength but his. What a comforting thought that God doesn’t need our help in fighting his battles or ours. All we need to do is trust in Him.
Will SHE READS TRUTH share when Claire Gibson’s book is released?
Hi, Juli! I just looked on Amazon, and it is available for pre-order there. It shows a release date of April 2.
Do not be deceived.
Do not be alarmed.
An opportunity to bear witness.
By your endurance, gain your lives.
Stand up and lift up you head.
Redemption is near.
The kingdom of God is near.
My Words will never pass away.
Be on your guard.
Be alert at all times, praying.
You, brothers and sisters are not in the dark.
We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Be thankful.
Serve God.
With reverence and awe.
And that is how we believers are to live until He comes again.
❤️
Love every word of it
Amen