And I’ve been thinking about long standing relationships.
In last Sunday’s Advent texts we were given Luke 21:25-36 — a passage where Jesus draws attention to the destruction of the temple, the chaos of the cosmos and the coming of the Son of Man in a cloud.
I’ve been struck in my reading that His arrival seems to be the most peaceful of all the events described. It’s as if the roaring of the nations is contrasted by the whisper of a cloud.
And the chaos seems to be interrupted by His coming, not ignited by it.
Even though there is the possibility of being weighed down by the worries of the world — and even consumed by the surrounding chaos — Jesus asks his followers to be alert, find strength in the waiting and stand with heads raised high.
“Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near… Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place and to stand before the Son of Man.” – Luke 25:27-28, 36
The appearance of the Prince of Peace invites a posture of reverence and acceptance, not fear and shame.
How is this possible? And what does this coming in a cloud say about Jesus?
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Jason Martin 