The Coming Advent

We seem to be in the midst of an end-of-the-world fever. Many well meaning intelligent believers were convinced that Jesus was coming on May 21 this year. When Jesus didn't show up the date was moved up to October 21. Unless I'm completely unconscious, Jesus didn't come then either. The ancient Mayans predicted that the world would end on December 21, 2012, less than a year away. And these aren't the first attempts to predict the exact time of the return of Christ, even though Jesus himself said, "the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him" (Matthew 25:44). For Jesus, the reason why the timing of his coming is purposely unknown is so his followers will remain alert and ready. For James, patience is advised, knowing that Christ will not return until the full human "harvest" is brought in. "Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near" (James 5:7-8). Jesus doesn't want anyone to miss out on the Great Advent at the end of the age.


It's possible for some to assume that the return of Christ is irrelevant. However, the second Advent is vitally important for several reasons: (1) It paints an important picture of human history; we are not caught in a repeating cycle of human risings and fallings, there is a clear culmination point, an end of the age inaugurated by the first Advent all those years ago. Human history has a goal, it is going somewhere. (2) It gives meaning to our current time in human history; we find ourselves in the "Kingdom Age," the "Age of the Holy Spirit," the "Messianic Age," brought in and governed by Christ. While we are not yet in Paradise, we see the promise of his coming and the hope of a world without sin and rebellion against the Creator. (3) Seeing the "light at the end of tunnel" gives meaning to every day God gives us; today is a Kingdom day with Kingdom opportunities. We are alive each day to represent the King and his ultimate rule in creation. (4) It causes us to be alert to the working of God's Spirit in the world and those "kairos" moments when God's people can be empowered to be salt and light. (5) It shows us that even in our darkest hour, God reigns supreme, and will continue to reign until every enemy is under his feet; the last enemy is death.


At the end of the Revelation of John Jesus himself gives us the "punchline": "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let the one who hears say, 'Come!' Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life" (22:17). The invitation goes out every day to those who are thirsty for more, thirsty for God. Jesus then gives us his final promise: "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon'" (22:20). And the response? "Amen. Come Lord Jesus."


We are looking forward to the triumphant conclusion to this present Age of Redemption. However, like our Lord, we want everyone who is thirsty to have an opportunity to participate in the coming Age of Glory. While we are looking for the Coming of Jesus (and he will come for each of us individually at just the right time) we join with Jesus in saying, "Come and take the free gift of the water of life." Amen. Come.

God Is With Us!

God is love. That means God's first purpose - his Plan A - always involves relationship. All God's plans and all God's methods are relational. God's very identity is wrapped up in relationships. Because God created human beings for relationship we share a similar identity. When Moses asked, "Who am I," God answered, "I will be with you" (Exodus 3:11-12). When Jeremiah objected, "I am too young," God countered with, "I am with you" (Jeremiah 1:6-8). Unfortunately, as fallen, self-centered human beings, relationships can seem a bit nebulous, unpredictable, and insecure. When it comes to religion, we prefer some kind of sanctified magic to relationship - we just want to find ways to get God to fix it - to make it stop, to keep it from happening, to give us whatever we want. What God wants to give us is his presence, his companionship.

The mystery and wonder of Christmas is the miracle of Immanuel, God With Us, in the person of Jesus Christ. Our Father-Creator was so determined to have a real, personal, intimate relationship with us God poured himself into humanity, entered into human history in time and space, and invited "whosoever will" to come back into the God-family. We want to make it about presents and events. For God, the Advent/Coming of Immanuel is all about relationships.

I suggest we can give two kinds of Advent gifts this year: (1) the gift of relationship with God through Christ, and (2) the gift of relationship with God through relationship with you. Be on the alert for someone who is hurting and alone, and offer them the gift of yourself as an expression of God's love. God is with us in Christ; God is also with us in our real, loving, human connections with each other and with "the least of these." Go and give yourself away!

Thankful for Jesus

As an old "Jesus freak" I am often struck by how quickly we can become distracted by our religious, ecclesiastical, and theological issues. We worry and fuss about so many things. We argue incessantly about abstract issues. (I don't ever want to hear another debate about hell.) We have questions about who's "in" and who's "out." Some wonder whether or not it's possible to be a "Christian" and still be a Democrat (or a member of the Tea/Coffee/Cocktail Party). We work hard to maintain the walls we've built around ourselves and our faith communities.

But in the end, only one thing matter - Jesus! When reviewing all the religious issues of his day Paul wrote, "I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:8). When all is said and done, whatever does not reveal Jesus, whatever does not bring honor and advance the cause of Jesus, whatever does not lead us and others closer to Jesus, will fall into dust.

That's why we can always be thankful. No matter what our circumstances, Jesus remains the same. It is "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). Even when a "super-committee" proves to be super dysfunctional (along with the whole government), Jesus is the same. Even when our favorite team loses, Jesus is the same. Even when we are unemployed and can't pay our bills (or our store burns down), Jesus is the same. Even when we lose a loved one in very tragic circumstances, Jesus is the same.

And so, I don't believe it's trite for me to wish you all (y'all) a very happy Thanksgiving. Let's celebrate Jesus!