God's Word Saves Life

Even in Ridicule, Confusion, and Threat

Texts for 11/16/2025:

Malachi 4:1–2a — A day of blistering heat for the arrogant; a day of healing sun for the righteous

Psalm 98 — In righteousness will the Lord judge the world (v. 9)

2 Thessalonians 3:6–13 — Do not be idle, but do what is right for the sake of Christ

Luke 21:5–19 — Jesus speaks of wars, endurance, betrayal, and suffering for his sake

Grace and peace to you from God, our Creator and Redeemer.

Last week, we were reminded that the life God sees in us is like gold hidden beneath clay or colored glass, created and redeemed, waiting to be recognized and embraced by ourselves and by others. Only when we remove those layers of clay and colored glass such as labels, fears, and expectations, are we able to see life as God sees it.

Today, in Luke 21, may we meet God as pure and precious life, like gold refined and redeemed, and be prepared to, as Jesus said, turn even the hardest experiences in life into opportunities to share God’s Word in the midst of ridicule, confusion, and threat.

Let’s unpack Luke 21. At the beginning of the chapter, Jesus draws a sharp distinction between the rich and the poor. The rich enjoy privileges in how they present themselves in clothing, in gatherings, and even in their prayers and offerings. But the poor, like the widow, give far more of what they have—two copper coins.

Then Jesus announces an important prophecy: even the most beautiful stones of the temple and the gifts dedicated to God will one day pass away. What remains is the Word of God.

And that is the good news for us today: God’s Word saves life.

Jesus tells his disciples that God’s Word saves life in very real circumstances:

• They will be ridiculed, arrested, and persecuted for their faith.

• They may be confused by false voices claiming authority in Jesus’ name.

• Their lives will be threatened by disasters, both natural and human-made.

In the midst of these trials, the Word of God may be treated as insignificant like two copper coins, but for us, it is everything we need to live. God’s Word not only created life; it continues to save life. It wins souls. Jesus assures us that He will place words in our mouths and strengthen us to endure ridicule, resist confusion, and face threats without fear.

But how do we do this? Don’t we sometimes wish the Bible were a manual with step‑by‑step instructions for turning ridicule, confusion, or threats into opportunities to share the Word of God? Think of situations such as a student mocked for faith, a family navigating conflicting values, or a community facing disaster.

God’s people have always wrestled with one another not because they don’t believe, but because they believe differently. Whether in Jerusalem between Judaism and Islam, or in America between Christianity and Christian nationalism, we all claim to be descendants of Abraham. Yet shared faith does not always mean shared mission, vision, or values. And that is where the deepest wounds often begin.

From the Holy Land to our own pews, we see how these three sacred identities, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, can be weaponized when theology hardens into ideology.

Again, how do we endure ridicule, resist confusion, and face threats without fear or frustration?

Recently, in a continuing education class on Positive Intelligence, I learned about naming our right and left brains differently, which helped me apply Jesus’ teaching more easily. We don’t stop at simply knowing we are loved. When we dive deeper into the kind of love Jesus demonstrates, we begin to strengthen the steady, relational Sage brain—the part designed for connection. Positive Intelligence refers to this as the Sage brain.

For example, when we are ridiculed, confused, or threatened, fear and frustration often take over. We tend to overanalyze, trying to protect ourselves, and that’s when the Judge brain steps in. Positive Intelligence calls this the busy, analytical Judge brain—the one that tries to take control.

Research suggests it takes double the Sage power to defeat one Judge. What does that mean? It means it takes twice the strength of love to quiet one voice of fear. And it takes less than 10 seconds for the judge's power to create a ripple effect of fear and frustration. We cannot deny the Judge’s existence—the part of us that wants to analyze people, things, and situations—but the real point is how quickly our relational Sage brain can step in… to care for relationships and connection.

This aligns beautifully with the love Jesus teaches. It’s amazing how God has given us the gift of the brain. When we live more as Sage rather than Judge, we are invited to:

• Empathize more deeply in love

• Explore more curiously in love

• Navigate more wisely in love

• Innovate more creatively in love

• Activate more courageously in love

This… is endurance. This… is how God’s Word wins life.

Let me summarize what Jesus said in Luke 21:13–18 for you. Jesus tells us this: all hardships will give us an opportunity to testify. Be prepared. We will be betrayed, and our lives will be threatened. Yet Jesus will give us words and wisdom that will secure not only our souls but also silence our opponents. Nothing will truly perish.

This… is endurance. This… is how God’s Word wins life.

And this echoes in the other readings for today:

• From Malachi, we hear that God’s Word brings restoration, not destruction.

• From Psalm 98, we are reminded that God’s Word is faithful, just, and true, bringing joy to all creation.

• From 2 Thessalonians, Paul urges us not to be idle but to do what is right for Christ. God’s Word empowers us to live faithfully, with endurance and purpose.

Together, these readings proclaim one message: though the world may ridicule, confuse, or threaten us, God’s Word endures and saves life. It heals, it judges rightly, and it strengthens us to live faithfully.

A takeaway question:

Where in your life right now might ridicule, confusion, or threat be converted into an opportunity to testify to God’s Word—the Word that saves life, both yours and others’?

Let us pray.

God of endurance and grace,

Your Word endures, and so shall we.

In trials, You give us courage.

In confusion, You give us wisdom.

In betrayal, You give us faith.

Your Word saves life, so we testify.

Hold us fast in that promise - not even a hair shall perish.

So, strengthen us to live as witnesses of Your love.

Amen.