Skip to main content

In the Fullness of Time

 Advent is the celebration of the Incarnation of our Savior, Jesus Christ, born of the virgin Mary in a manger, in Bethlehem.  We know the story well.  It is a story that has been portrayed in 10's of thousands of manger scenes, in movies, Christmas cards, as well as books and sermons.  I love the story as it unfolds in Old Testament prophecy:

Isaiah 7:14
 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

And as it unfolds in real-time:

 Luke 1:30-31

 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 

What fascinates me about the story of Jesus' birth is the thoughts (musings) of how it all came about in Heaven.  We know that God's plan for redemption occurred from the beginning of creation:

Ephesians 1:3-4
 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him...  

It's fascinating to know that God has the wisdom of redemption from eternity's past to eternity's future.  This makes us realize that the coming of Jesus, sent by the Father, by the angel to Mary, was not a random choice of time, but one that was precise, intentional, and determined long before it occurred.  It is Paul writing to the Galatian Christians who reminds us:

Galatians 4:4-5
 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 
 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 

God's purpose and Jesus' coming (the incarnation) is described as happening "in the fullness of time".

Let's pause today and muse a bit about God's timing.  God is never late in his time, he is never early.  He is also faithful in his promises and his purposes are always on time.  

Why did God wait until then to send his Son?  From the creation God made it known he was going to do something to redeem us as humans, fallen by Sin.  Through Abraham, Moses, David, and the prophets he kept reminding his people that he was going to send "Immanuel" - one who would be God with us.  Yet the time dragged on, to the point that some Isrealites gave up believing the Messiah would ever come. Some hung in faith, but they expected a Messiah who would come militarily to overthrow the shackles of Roman occupation and establish Israel as a superior nation ruled by God.  None of those were to happen.

Paul reminds us that the "fullness of time" is the same as "the date set by the Father" in the previous verse:  Galatians 4:2,  "...but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father."  Not only does it mean the Father alone chose when to do it, what to do, but also why to do it.  We read the why in the verses surrounding the "fullness of time":

Galatians 4:4-7
 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.   And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”   So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. 

The fullness of time is the Father's perogative - but it is not a selfish one, but a redemptive choice.  Jesus came into the world as the Father had determined, to bring about redemption, and release all those who believe in him from their Sin that we might become an heir of the Father's Kingdom.  The fullness of time is purposeful, intentional, and most of all, relational.  Our Abba, Father, wants us to know we were made on purpose.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hands Full of Parcels

"A Man whose hands are full of parcels can't receive a gift."   - C. S. Lewis Romans 4:13-16 (ESV) 13  For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14  For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15  For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16  That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all... The last four days have been best described by the word "fatigue".  It's not an uncommon word in our vocabulary.  Listless, tired, sore.  1300 miles of car travel, being sick, not sleeping well, and eating poorly all add up to the word - fatigue.   Someone onc...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Tabernacle

The readings today are Exodus 36, 37, 38 I wanted to post some pictures of what these various parts of the Tabernacle looked like. It's not the easiest read in the world, but if you persevere through it, you can get a picture of all the different pieces that made up the tabernacle. It is a replica of the various parts of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness: First thing in the chapter listed is the outside of the tabernacle which consisted of curtains tied together and put on cross bars through loops. Next at the beginning of 37 is the table and lampstand: Also, the altar of incense: And, the altar for the burnt offering which was in the courtyard: Finally, the courtyard which made it all come together: Hope that helps with what it might have all looked like. Most importantly, this was their "place" of worship they were building. I hope you have a great day of worship. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
1 comment
Read more

The difference between defending and explaining

The news of recent has focused the suffering of Christians in the middle east who have been martyred for their faith in Christ at the hands of Islamic Terrorists. Through the centuries many Christians have lost their lives as a result of their faith. For us, who live in America, there is little chance that we would have this happen here - but it's entirely possibly that terrorism will strike out at Christians sometime.  But, for many Christians in the western world - especially here in the U.S. - being a Christians who believes God's word there is a form of persecution that is defined by words like "ostracized", "passed over", "ridiculed", and more. What do we do in the face of opposition to faith? When the Apostle Peter writes to the early believers who are undergoing great pressure, even persecution for their faith in Jesus, he gives them this charge. 1 Peter 3:8-18 8  Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly lov...
1 comment
Read more