(Heard spoken by a first century Jew):
The Lord is going to return... right? But how do we know he's really coming back to rescue and redeem us from all the evil forces in this world? Hasn't he said that before? Weren't we Israelites stuck in Egypt for 400 years as slaves? And when Moses led us out of Egypt, weren't we stuck in the desert for 40 years? And now we're in the "promised" land of Canaan, but everyone from the Medes to the Persians to the Greeks to the Romans have held the nation of Israel under their collective thumbs for hundreds and hundreds of years! God even allowed us to be taken from our homeland to be stuck for 70 years in Babylon to rot away as we awaited God's "rescue." Hmmmmph, that never happened... at least not in the way we had hoped... but at least we were eventually allowed to return to Israel. Nevertheless, I have a question: if Yaweh is so darn willing to rescue his people from oppression, how come we constantly keep getting oppressed by each and every superpower that emerges in the world?! If our God so good and powerful and gracious... then why doesn't he DO something already? If we're really his chosen people... why doesn't he treat us better? Doesn't he care?
Have you ever asked a question like that? "Don't you care, Lord"? "Why won't you just return already... and rescue us from this evil world?"
Long before we came along... heck, for that matter, long before Jesus came along, Jews had been asking those kinds of questions for many centuries. I don't even pretend to have the answers... but contemplating this whole idea as to why God waits to return to this world in the fullness of his power and glory has brought to light a few things for me:
1. Like it or not... we (all humans) are an active part of the "evil" in the world. Perhaps it's not easy to swallow, but we have all fallen short of the glory of God... and therefore deserve death according to his law. Perhaps he's waiting to return as destroyer of evil because he loves us and wants to give us more time to repent?
2. God has returned - through the promised Messiah Jesus Christ. Though surprising and not exactly what we were hoping for... God gave us a new revelation of Himself by directly participating in humanity. Perhaps he's waiting to return as a warrior because we first needed to understand that God is willing to fully identify with us in our frail humanity?
3. Since we Christians have been called into relationship with God through Christ - and since we have been forgiven and redeemed - we are now His ambassadors commanded to share the good news of God's willingness to renew and restore everyone who humbles themselves and embraces His gracious authority. Perhaps he's waiting to return in full revelation to give us time to take His commandments seriously?
4. Though completely forgiven... many Christ-followers nevertheless chase after a multitude of false gods, and have grown weary in their wait for His return. Living in a wealthy, busy, and godless culture tend to take their toll on well-meaning Christians who believe in Christ... and yet find themselves giving in to all kinds of temptations that do not honor Christ. Perhaps he's waiting to return to give his followers time to decide whether or not they are willing to discipline themselves to constantly listen for the voice of God in their lives?
Hmmmmm.... I dunno why God keeps us waiting, but in some ways I'm glad he does. Though often frustrating... I like my life here on earth. I love my job, my family, and my friends. I love living near the mountains and beautiful bodies of water in this part of the world. But mostly, I love that God "comes" to those of us who will tune our ears to hear him... and adjust our eyes to see him. He is subtle... but nevertheless, he is powerful. He is unpredictable and impossible to control... but nevertheless, he is good and kind and gracious.
He is the Lord... and he is returning someday. Not as a babe in Bethlehem, but as a conquering king... the King of all Kings. Quick... everyone look busy!
May your Christmas season be filled with wonder and beauty... and the joy of knowing and following Christ our king.
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