This week’s focal text from Joel tells of God coming to the rescue of God’s hurting people. The people’s response is to praise the Lord (Joel 2:26).
This week’s focal text from Romans describes the suffering and decay that is part of our human journey. The faithful’s response is to wait in hope as a woman who suffers labor pains in order to give birth to a child (Romans 8:22).
One way to summarize what these texts say is to proclaim “God ain’t through with us yet.”
What we have seen in Jesus Christ is life when the world intended death. What we have seen in Jesus Christ is forgiveness when the world intended punishment. What we have seen in Jesus Christ is truth when the world intended falseness. What we have seen in Jesus Christ is “Yes” when the world intended “No”.
Do you know where Bahama is? Timberlake? Rougemont? All of these communities are within five miles of my house, but there is a good chance that you have not heard of any of them. Nevertheless, you know some things about me and I know some things about you. Whether you know me or not—and whether I know you or not—there are things we know about each other. We know that life has not been perfect. We know that there are hidden hurts. We know that sin sneaks up on us. In fact, Paul says of you and me: “the whole creation has been groaning” (Romans 8:22).
But the apostle is clear that this condition is not the end of the story. Look at all the positive words as Paul writes: “glory about to be revealed to us” v. 18...”revealing of the children of God” v. 19...”hope” v. 20...”freedom of the glory” v. 21...”first fruits” v. 23...”adoption” v. 23...”redemption” v. 23...”saved” v. 24.
Both the prophet Joel and the apostle Paul have given us a picture of God who does not let go of us. God is aware of the shattered places in our lives and in Christ Jesus has shown us a new creation. Like the early morning dawn may point us toward a day of sunshine, so the resurrected Christ points us toward that new creation.
What Someone Else Has Said: Douglas Meeks (Wesleyan Perspectives on the New Creation, Kingswood) has said: “All Christian beliefs pivot on the trust that God will be ‘all in all’ and that God’s ultimate rule will leave nothing to the dominion of death, sin, and evil.”
Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “My hope is built on You, O Lord...”
