By your patience possess your souls

Before he died Rabbi Edwin Friedman described the American social system as in regression and in need of mature leadership. He described societal regression as “gridlock” and “anxiety,” evidenced by reactivity, herding, blame displacement, and looking for a quick-fix. In A Failure of Nerve: A Society in Regression Friedman explained that the only way a leader can survive and lead is to remain self-regulated and calm despite the pressures. Non-anxious, self-differentiated presence is essential for making it through the chaos.

Self-differentiated, non-anxious leadership is not new to Rabbi Friedman. Two thousand years ago another rabbi told his followers about the same thing, after warning them of seriously traumatic times to come. Speaking to folks marveling over the grandeur of Herod’s temple, Jesus foretold its utter destruction, accurately described the events, and then said, “By your patience possess your souls” (Luke 21:19).

Prophesying of catastrophic turmoil Jesus instructed his disciples to keep the presence of mind to not be deceived when troubling reports come, and to not be afraid when chronic anxiety of changing times involved them. We may not be able to control events, but we can control how we respond to them.

In no uncertain terms Jesus told horrified disciples . . .

• You will be arrested and persecuted,
• You will be brought before tribunals, both religious and civil,
• You will be betrayed by loved ones,
• You will be hated because of me.

Jesus vividly described days of great tribulation as the Roman armies advanced to utterly destroy Jerusalem and end the Jewish nation as they knew it.

Historians tell us the prophecies came to pass just as Jesus described them. Beginning in AD 63 a prophet named Jesus, son of Ananias, prophesied impending doom to a Jerusalem enjoying peace and prosperity. The next year conflict began in both religious and civil circles. For seven years the people experienced conflict, infighting, rapid changes in leadership, abuse from government authorities, civil war, insurrections, and lawless plunderers. A great tribulation. Caesar Nero sent armies to beseige the city. After his death emperor Vespasian finished the war, and totally destroyed the city and the temple in AD 70.

Keeping a cool head in anxious situations, Jesus reminded, would allow him to give his followers words to say to refute and diffuse baseless charges leveled by adversaries. “By your patience possess your souls” Unlocking the essence of meaning in these words will help us understand what non-anxious, self-differentiation means.

Patience means perseverance and endurance. In Hebrew thought it means “wait upon the Lord” and helps us to understand that God gives us grace and strength to exercise great faith and remain focused on God’s promised deliverance. It is a vision beyond the present circumstance and a hope of a better day. It is faith in the promises of God.

Possess means obtain, buy, or control. Self-regulation. Here Jesus uses it in the aorist imperative, indicating “from this time forward control.” Control what? Your soul, your inner being, your spirit. Your self.

Our disciple-making enterprise will be conducted in anxious times and situations. Those who need Jesus many times will not be open to him until they reach crisis points in their lives. That is when we need to be able to act decisively with great leadership.

The perplexities of our times have us stagnated and afraid, and non-anxious thoughtful leadership is necessary in helping us move decisively into bold new solutions.

That is all a part of our mission. Our conference challenges us to grow more disciples by “taking risks and changing lives.” So get a grip. It is by your determined, expectant hope and unwavering faith that you exercise the self-control to rise above the confusion and lead.