Today's reading: Hebrews 9-10
...So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28 NRSV
I always have pictured the second coming of Christ as this sort of horrific picture of Christ blazing through the sky with red eyes and a really mean look on his face, swinging a sword. It is a frightening image, probably brought about by my own imaginative interpretation of Revelation. And I find it especially frightening because I wonder if I am really going to be among the sheep or the goats. Am I too much a Pharisee and not enough of a sinner to qualify as one of God's chosen?
But Hebrews puts it all into perspective for me.
Christ has already died for sins. And for the sins of many. This means being a sinful Pharisee, too! When Christ comes again, he is not going to be dealing with the sinful. Christ is coming to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
So, the best question for today is, are we eagerly waiting for Christ?
Are have we become complacent and satisfied the way things are in our lives and our world?
Are we looking forward to Christ coming in judgment, to punish others?
Or are we looking forward to simply being in Christ's saving presence?
God, help us to eagerly look forward to Christ's coming. In his name we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
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