The Second Coming Now: No Fear
N.T. Wright has a beautiful passage on p. 143 of Paul (2005, Fortress Press). "And when the one who was now in heaven finally appeared, revealing his royal presence, this was not to be thought of in terms of his making a long journey from a far country. It would be more like drawing back a previously unnoticed curtain to reveal whathad been there all along."
We do not need to fear Jesus' absence or abandonment. He said "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age." An eschatology which teaches Him not as King over this world now diminishes His authority.
We are living in fear right now. Whether we want to admit it personally, we are surrounded by it from the media and some government authorities and we can't help but be affected by it. It's a fight, spiritually, psychologically, and physically, not to succumb to this fear which would isolate us. Too many of us have given in, not even knowing that we have.
Last night my college had its first "function" since early March. That means physical bodies were all in the same room, an auditorium, masked and distant. It was an awards ceremony for those involved in Student Life and organizations. I won an award that is named after a colleague whom I respected, now retired. It was quite meaningful to me. Even more was simply to see human beings I hadn't seen in five months but normally would have seen every day or so. It's an odd feeling. It was punching holes in the fear, a little, I think.
We do not need to fear Jesus' absence or abandonment. He said "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age." An eschatology which teaches Him not as King over this world now diminishes His authority.
We are living in fear right now. Whether we want to admit it personally, we are surrounded by it from the media and some government authorities and we can't help but be affected by it. It's a fight, spiritually, psychologically, and physically, not to succumb to this fear which would isolate us. Too many of us have given in, not even knowing that we have.
Last night my college had its first "function" since early March. That means physical bodies were all in the same room, an auditorium, masked and distant. It was an awards ceremony for those involved in Student Life and organizations. I won an award that is named after a colleague whom I respected, now retired. It was quite meaningful to me. Even more was simply to see human beings I hadn't seen in five months but normally would have seen every day or so. It's an odd feeling. It was punching holes in the fear, a little, I think.
Comments