(remember, these are unedited/draft show notes, not a transcript — listening is always better…and if you listen AND follow along below, you’ll see how)
Focus Question:
Why hasn't Jesus come back yet?
Intro:
Something you’ve heard me say many times (and will hear many more times) is that if Jesus rose from the dead, Christianity and all that it teaches logically follows. And if he didn’t, we’re all idiots (which is a Roger paraphrase of Paul in 1 Co 15).
What we talk about less — and probably should talk about more — is Jesus’ return. In fact, Jesus’ return is part of Peter’s argument for why we should live lives full of hope. Interestingly, today you’ll hear Peter mention why Jesus hasn’t returned yet.
New Testament segment:
Passage: 2 Peter 3
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 18
Words: ~410
Why hasn’t Jesus come back yet? As Peter put it
9 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. (2 Pe 3:9, CSB)
Beside the fact that God’s timing isn’t our timing, his delay in returning is out of his love and mercy. And while we’re still here, we’ve got something to learn and something to do.
So, about that learning and doing. Today I’m going to do a little swaperoo with part of our Wisdom Segment and OT Segments. Psalm 80 is a prayer for restoration, then Jeremiah 33 is about that restoration, and then Psalm 147 is an expression of joy about that restoration.
Wisdom segment:
Passage: Psalm 80
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 19
Words: ~312
Old Testament segment:
Passage: Jeremiah 33
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 26
Words: ~771
Wisdom segment:
Passage: Psalm 147
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 20
Words: ~328
The bottom line:
Why hasn’t Jesus returned yet? Because of God’s great love and mercy. What is his timing? Uh, certainly not what my little pea-brain might think.
In 2 Peter, Peter calls out false teachers, and one of their arguments is basically, “Hey, the world’s always been this way, and we can therefore assume it’ll continue.” And in a way, if you were a Jew living in exile in Babylon your whole life, you might have been tempted to say the same thing.
But Peter — and Jeremiah — both said that that is foolish thinking. Or more accurately, the God of the Universe who chose to create us, send his son on a rescue mission for us, and promises eternal life to all who repent and turn to him — this same God has said, “I’m coming back for you.”
Why hasn’t Jesus returned yet? Maybe the question is, “Lord, how can we pray for you to change our hearts to see you more clearly, fall in love with you more deeply, and reach others in your name?”
Roger
ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.
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