Emmanuel, God With Us

This fall we’ve been watching The Bible Series and discussing how it portrays and interprets the Biblical story. Hollywood’s attempts to tell the Bible story usually miss the point. I am especially concerned that this particular series focused too much on violence to attract viewers rather than God’s grace and faithfulness. But in general, we can thank God because the series has encouraged people inside and outside the church to think about and read the Bible.

One of the interesting decisions the script writers made was to focus on the theme of “God with us.” Even though you won't find that phrase in the stories when you read your Bible, almost every episode had some character uttering that phrase as encouragement to others—often to rush into a battle with a sword or club. At first, I thought the series used it uncritically, as if to say “God is with us” meant the character was doing God’s will. Abraham said it as he rushed into a camp to rescue Lot—and graphically slaughter his captors. (It was strange they spent screen time on this obscure episode in Genesis 14:13-16. The Bible focuses on the rescue not the violence!)

The series showed that it had a more nuanced view of “God with us.” When Samson lost his strength, he questioned whether God was with him. Saul shouted the phrase when it was already clear that God no longer supported him as king but had chosen David. Paul was portrayed as persecuting Christians while shouting, “God is with us,” only to be confronted by the risen Jesus on the road who asks, “Why do you persecute me?”

As we approach Christmas, it is good for us to remember that “God with us” is Jesus’ name: “Emmanuel” (Matt 1:23). Jesus coming to us, our Savior, our Lord—that’s what we mean when we say God is with us. “God is with us” doesn’t mean everything will go our way. “God is with us” doesn’t mean what we do is necessarily God’s will. “God is with us” does not shield us from criticism; in fact, if we are aware that God is with us, we should expect God’s critical gaze on our thoughts, words, and deeds. Even more, “God is with us” means Jesus is forgiving us and wants to lead us. He is our Prince of Peace in a violent and unjust world. Jesus is "God with Us."

Jesus is Coming!

Jesus is Coming!

That's the essential message of Advent, the four weeks before Christmas. Each week's Bible readings focus us on Jesus coming at the end of the age to bring judgment and a peaceful and just rule. Although the culture would have us think this is a time for shopping, baking, decorating and parties, for Christians this is a time of preparation, examination of our priorities, service to others, and most of all fixing our gaze on Jesus as he is revealed to us in the Scriptures.

After almost 2000 years of waiting for Jesus, however, it is natural for Christians to ask, "how long?" or "did we misunderstand?" The earliest Christians expected Jesus to return in their lifetime. Jesus is quoted as saying, "Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place (Mark 13:30 and parallels Matt 24:34, Luke 21:32). Paul was faced with Christians who were disappointed that believers were dying before Jesus returned (1 Thess 4:13-15). He assured them that those who were died would be included when Jesus did return, even rising to meet Jesus first.

Speculation about Jesus' return has risen and fallen over the ages, rising to a kind of peak in the middle of the 19th century with a lay preacher, William Miller, proclaiming in 1833 that Jesus would be returning in 1843 or 1844. Tens of thousands responded to his message, some giving up jobs and families and possessions, meeting in camps to worship and wait for Christ. When 1844 passed without note, most people returned to their lives and called this event "the Great Disappointment." Jesus words that we won't know the day or the hour never seemed more true (Mark 13:32)!

Others dismiss Jesus "returning on the clouds" (Mark 14:62) as fantasy, at best prophetic metaphor and scientific impossibility, and at worst some kind of pious fraud. Some Christians today have abandoned any talk about Jesus' return to focus on the real problems facing humanity and creation, such as chronic food insecurity, poverty and global climate change.

We hold to Jesus' return for three main reasons: (1) the Bible consistently witnesses to Christ's return. Jesus quotes Daniel 7:13-14 in front of the Sanhedrin primarily to identify himself as the heavenly messiah that Daniel expected (which the High Priest declared blasphemy), but also to suggest his vindication from the unjust accusations made against him (Mark 14:62-64). The focus is on identity and justice, not on the mode of transportation. The "clouds" are not really the point, and we shouldn't get too hung up on it (for the focus on justice, see also Rev 1:7).

The focus on justice in Jesus' return is the second reason: (2) the work of healing the creation, bringing justice and peace is not done yet. Jesus' resurrection in the Gospels is only the beginning of justice--the disciples will still face injustice and persecution (Mark 13:9). Paul writes to the Romans that all creation is groaning still (Rom 8:19-23). The book of Revelation yearns for the New Jerusalem where God's throne is in the midst of the city and the Tree of Life has leaves for the healing of the nations (Rev 22:1-2). We know this in our bones: the world is not as God wants it to be. Jesus needs to return to make it right. We may not understand how Jesus will return, but we know Jesus must return.

Knowing Jesus will return publicly, visibly, bringing true justice and God's rule, no matter if we don't understand the details, (3) it gives us hope--and this is a third reason we hold onto Jesus' return. We are called to follow Jesus and live in God's justice and peace now. We need hope in Jesus' return to drive us forward towards that goal, especially when we feel disappointed and discouraged and tired. It doesn't let us off the hook to say, "Oh, Jesus will clean up the mess when he comes," but urges us to be "little Christs" (Luther) preparing the way for his coming.