PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
18 I
consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory
that will be revealed in us. 19 For
the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be
revealed. 20 For the
creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will
of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its
bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of
God.
22 We know
that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth
right up to the present time. 23 Not
only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly
as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our
bodies. 24 For in this
hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who
hopes for what they already have? 25 But
if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the
same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to
pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless
groans. 27 And he who
searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for
God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
28 And we
know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have
been called according to his purpose. 29 For
those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image
of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and
sisters. 30 And those he
predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those
he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:18-30, NIV)
…………
4:7 But we
have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power
is from God and not from us. 8 We
are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not
in despair; 9 persecuted, but
not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so
that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always
being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be
revealed in our mortal body. 12 So
then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13 It is
written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same
spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one
who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and
present us with you to himself. 15 All
this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more
people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore
we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we
are being renewed day by day. 17 For
our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far
outweighs them all. 18 So
we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is
seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
5:1 For we
know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a
building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing
to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent,
we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to
be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may
be swallowed up by life. 5 Now
the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the
Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6 Therefore
we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we
are away from the Lord. 7 For
we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We
are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home
with the Lord. 9 So we
make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away
from it. 10 For we must
all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive
what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
(2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10, NIV)
REFLECTIONS:
Throughout this week we’ve been
thinking about how hope is grounded in the past—God’s mighty deeds for Israel
and the sufficiency of Christ’s redemptive work. Today we turn our eyes to the
future. The major emphasis on hope in the New Testament centers around the
second coming of Christ, when the believer’s hope becomes experienced reality
rather than anticipation of future experience.
Paul says we “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for
our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23). Upon
first reading, I was struck by the phrase “groan inwardly” for two reasons.
First, I wasn’t sure what it meant. Second, I suspected that I don’t actually
do that.
The word used for “groan” in this verse has been described
as, “A sighing that takes place by reason of a state of oppression which causes
suffering and from which there is the desire to be free.” Paul uses the same
word in 2 Corinthians 5:2 to express that existence in the body is a burden, a
sign that redemption is not yet complete.
So my suspicion is confirmed: I don’t really sense that
having a body (even a broken body) is oppressive, and thus, I do not long to be
free from life in this body. Not in the way that slaves groan in their labor
and long to be free. In plain terms, I like my life on earth. Don’t get me
wrong, I look forward to the day when Jesus will set everything right, when Jesus will make me fully whole and healthy, but I cannot
say that I “groan inwardly” as I anticipate that day.
Well, what’s wrong with liking life? Nothing. Or maybe
everything. Jesus said he came so that we may have life to the fullest, and he
said that if anyone wants to save his life he must lose it. Advent is forcing
me to wrestle with this tension, pushing me back over and over to the same
question: “What do I long for now?” Is the coming of Christ such a deep-felt
longing that I am brought to the knowledge life in this body is a burden, and
I inwardly groan because my desire for freedom simply cannot be expressed in
words?
Early Christians used the phrase “maranatha!” in greeting
each other, which is translated “Come, Lord Jesus!” When you see injustice
in the world, do you pray Come, Lord Jesus? When you are
grieved by your own sin, do you find yourself thinking Come, Lord Jesus? If not,
I suspect that you have done what most of us have done—placed your hope in
something other than Jesus and his kingdom. Jesus is the only one that can
bring true and final justice. Hoping in anything else is folly. Jesus is the
only one who will fully free us from sin.
The Apostle John said that when Jesus appears, we will
finally be like him because we will see Jesus as he really is (1 John 3:2-3). The glory and
holiness of Jesus will be so captivating and beautiful that all of the other
things in which we have placed our hope will be abandoned and forgotten.
To this end Jesus beckons us:
“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is
the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll…”
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward
is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have
done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the
Beginning and the End…”
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to
give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the
Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
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.
He who testifies to these things says,
“Yes, I am coming soon.” (Revelation 22:7-21).
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
PRAYER:
Father, we repent of all that keeps us from the work of your
kingdom on earth (fear, insecurity, selfishness, ignorance, pride, and
laziness), and we express our desire for you to use us in Christ’s works of
mercy, reconciliation, justice, service, and worship. We are praying for your
kingdom to come on earth—in our lives, our relationships, our church, and our
community—as it is in heaven.
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