Dis We Miss It, Somehow?

Scriptures about the “end times” usually appear in Advent, in anticipation of a Messiah who comes among humans to straighten out what can be fixed before all heaven breaks loose. So what are these readings doing here, at the end of Kingdomtide, just before The Reign of Christ? The Preacher needs to be aware that they are offered as signs of Grace as an alternative to destruction.

Zephaniah pictures a seeking God: as lantern-lit Diogenes searched for an honest man, “At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the people who rest complacently on their dregs…” (1:12) He portrays the Coming One as prosecutor in the courts of Righteousness and Justice–“in the fire of his passion the whole earth shall be consumed.” (v.18) The presenter can read in harsh tones…but not forget to invite her hearers to stay tuned for better news!

That better news comes in Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian believers. He by no means downplays the suddenness of the Change of History, yet brings a word of Grace: “For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (5:9) He acknowledges that the stress of daily living can make us forget that we’re citizens of the Kingdom-to-come! “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other as indeed you are doing.” (v.11)

Matthew remembers Jesus’ story of The Talents. (25:14-30) It’s a parable, not an analogy, firmly couched in human attributes. When a rich man went off on a business trip, he gave substantial sums to each of his three vice-presidents. Two of them invested in other business, and did very well! The third, trying to protect his posterior, buried his portion…and it didn’t earn interest OR keep up with inflation. When the Boss returned, he rewarded the two who ventured; but fired the frugal one… So what? Well, there’s gonna be a Day when you Faithful will receive abundance–and that’s a good promise.

Are these lessons a Warning or a Promise? Or both? We’re standing at the junction of the future Day of the Lord and the present Ethic of Faithful Righteousness. “Christ’s life, death, and resurrection inaugurated the realm of God that he proclaimed. While there may well be a future fullness to that realm, it is present in the world now.” (Mark B. Lee)

God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King