July 24, 2008
Coming Again
After an extended visit with his grandpa it was time to take five year-old Jared back home to his parents. On the way Grandpa Kenneth said, “We’re sure going to miss you.” Bewildered Jared said, “Why? I’m gonna be back.” When it was time for the Lord to return to the Father the disciples grappled with His impending absence. They weren’t ready for Him to leave. I can just hear Jesus saying, “Why? I’m gonna be back.”
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Gail;
-----At the time the disciples were told Jesus would return, they did not know what future the world would serve up to them. In fact, there was a great anticipation that Jesus meant He would return in their lifetime, because, on the beach, He had said of John, “If it is My will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” (John 21:22 RSV). Indeed they did not know two hundred years of persecution were to follow. Nor did they know two hundred years of pagans persecuted by Christians were to follow that. Of the Muslim hordes, of the corrupt Medieval Catholic Church and its tortures, of the Inquisition which lasted into the nineteenth century, of the holy wars, of the sewing of Humanism’s philosophical seed and its growth into an inhumane religion the disciples had only received hints. They had no knowledge of what would transpire before He actually returned.
-----Neither do we. We have now more than hints, especially after receiving the Revelation given through John and seeing the history of the world unfold into its pattern. But we still do not know. We may even be more precariously perched in uncertainty as current events continually show possibilities of diverging paths for history’s walking, one to looming peril, the other to healing and more secure times.
-----But what we do know for certain is that He will return, evil will be repaid, and faith will be graced. In the meantime, He needs us to maintain our joy, for it is an emotional strength vital to doing our part in keeping good spiritual balance and physical ambition. And it seems likely that a key to maintaining joy in all the uncertainty and turmoil of our lives is to be satisfied with the moment we are in, regardless of the rest, using it to prepare for the moment to come. Then moment by moment our lives move to the point at which each of us meet Jesus for a quick and easy ride home.
Love,
Steve Corey
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