LIVING IN THE IN-BETWEEN

 

1 Corinthians 11:26 (NIV)
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

               I like Saturdays, especially this time of the year. Saturday is filled with college football, which means excitement, anticipation, and sometimes heartbreak. In general, people look forward to Saturday as a day of rest and leisure.

               In my devotions have been reading Philip Yancey’s book The Jesus I Never Knew. Near the end of the book, he talks about Good Friday and Easter Sunday and then gives us a different perspective on the Saturday in-between. When Jesus was crucified, Saturday became a day of confusion, sorrow, and worry. The disciples didn’t understand what was going on, even though Jesus had warned them in advance. After the resurrection things began to make more sense to them, until Jesus’ ascension into heaven. At that point, the disciples entered the longest Saturday ever. A time of waiting until Jesus returned. We are still waiting.

               2000 years later we are still waiting in the time of “until he comes.” It is hard for us to wait. It is also hard to live in the in-between time of our faith. As theologians have coined it, we live in the time of the already but not yet. Already Jesus has won the victory over sin and death, but we have not yet experienced the fullness of that victory. One day Jesus will return in power and glory, as it says in the book of Revelation, and will bring an end to this endless Saturday. In the meantime, what should we expect and how should we live?

               Jesus did not leave us without some insights into life in-between. Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Matthew 24:4-8 (NIV) What Jesus described is an accurate depiction of the world we are currently living in. It would be easy to become discouraged, just as the disciples were discouraged during their long Saturday. But Jesus encourages us to look to him for courage and strength. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)

               As we live in the land of in-between, we can expect that many people won’t understand our hope. But we can have confidence that Jesus has not abandoned us. Peter alerts us to what to expect. He also gives us a positive perspective. First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:3-9 (NIV)

               As we live in the land of in-between, Jesus expects us to be actively doing are part to advance his kingdom. We are to live with purpose and with hope. We know the end of the story, so we can persevere with confidence no matter what the circumstances of our world are. The disciples lived with a sense of anticipation that Jesus could return at any time. Because of that anticipation, they lived purposeful lives. We need to live with that same sense of anticipation. Jesus calls us to both look forward to his return and to be diligent in the work he has given us to do. The in-between is not a time to sit in despair or to blend into the world around us. It is a time to actively live out our faith.

Matthew 24:36 (NIV)
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Matthew 24:42 (NIV)
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

Matthew 24:45-47 (NIV)
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”

               To be honest, we are living in discouraging times. When I look at the political, economic, and international scene I am not encouraged. But as the writer of Hebrews says, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)