Sunday, April 12

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18, Revelation 1:8
For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM
More than two decades ago, we began a daily ritual, often the very first thing in the morning.  It has become for us a brief liturgy, if you will.  We are not sure how it began, but it is a routine that sets the tone of every day, and even every moment of every day.  One of us will say to the other, “Perhaps this is the day the Lord will return.”  And the response, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus.”  

Little did we know when we began this so many years ago, that we were joining the early church in a familiar greeting, “Maranatha.  Come quickly, Lord Jesus.”  Life for first century Christians was difficult.  Roman law demanded that everyone declare Caesar to be a god.  Yet, these believers understood that there is only one God and one Lord.  And they paid the ultimate price for their faith.  The greeting became a word of hope as they were reminded of Jesus’ promise that he would return.  “Maranatha” became the common greeting of the oppressed, as they looked for their blessed hope.  

At his ascension, the angels reminded Jesus’ disciples that Jesus “will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”  John closes his vision of the apocalypse with the comforting reminder, “‘Surely, I am coming soon.’ Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus!” In such a time of persecution, what words could be more hopeful?  What greeting more relevant?  That is why Paul urges the Thessalonians to “encourage one another with these words.”  Looking for the coming of Jesus gives comfort in seasons of sorrow, perspective in times of pain.

But not only are they words of encouragement, John tells us that everyone who hopes in Jesus’ return “purifies himself as he is pure.”  Few things in this life are more compelling and more purifying than the thought that Jesus could return at any moment.  As the old hymn puts it, “Temptations lose their power, when Thou art nigh.”  

Along with John, Paul longed for and looked for the coming of Jesus.  He writes to Timothy that there is a “crown of righteousness” awaiting him and “all who have loved his appearing.”  Our longing will be rewarded.  

Perhaps, for us, the most compelling verse comes in the final chapter of Revelation.  A simple phrase in verse 4 tells us that we “will see his face.”  Not just some vague image of a person.  Not just some general reference of looking and seeing.  No, we will see his face.  What could be more intimate?  More personal?  More knowing and accepting than to look fully into the face of Jesus as he welcomes us into his heaven.

This Lenten season, we have spent weeks preparing, opening, longing and looking.  But it does not end here.  Now is the time to take up the greeting of the early church and remind one another that this same Jesus will come again just as he departed. 

Perhaps today is the day when Jesus will return.  

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, just as certain as your life, as your death, as your resurrection, as your return to the Father is the certainty that you will come again. We’re holding onto that certainty today, Jesus, in the midst of the uncertainty that worries our days and troubles our nights.

Just as we long to see your face, we long to hear your voice. While we wait for you, may we be listening so intently to your voice that when we hear “Welcome home!,” your voice will have the familiarity and dearness of an intimate friend.

We yearn for that reunion because we yearn for you, our friend and brother. Come quickly . . . please.
Amen.

Tom Kimber, Adjunct Professor, Talbot School of Theology
Sue Kimber, Executive Administrator, Conservatory of Music