Advent
November 24, 2022
Scripture Reading:
Romans 13:11-14
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
I do not think that Paul envisioned that we would still be searching for universal salvation 2,000 or so years after he wrote these words. God did not create us to sit around and wait for the good life in whatever way we define that. God creates us to emulate God’s work in pursuit of life in love that is fulfilling for all. Indeed, God is actively creating us each day if we open our hearts to God’s guidance in living our love until, as the book of Revelation says, God pitches his tent among us.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
‘See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.’ –Revelation 21:3-4
Sometimes I think translators try too hard to be culturally accommodating for current times. The word translated dwell in this scripture in Greek is skēnóō (also meant tabernacled in Moses’s day).
637 skēnóō – properly, to pitch or live in a tent, “denoting much more than the mere general notion of dwelling” (M. Vincent). For the Christian, 4637 (skēnóō) is dwelling in intimate communion with the resurrected Christ – even as He who Himself lived in unbroken communion with the Father during the days of His flesh (Jn 1:14)*
I am not a good camper; give me a motel room any time. I have, however, relented with friends and shared a tent at times. It is indeed a place of intimate communion not just an experience of dwelling with others. It does better describe our relationship with God.
Prayer: Thank you for pitching your tent and sharing it with me. Help me to be present to you in our communion. Amen.
*https://biblehub.com/greek/4637.htm
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.