students of jesus

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 6 – 8)

Sometimes the little words slip past us: water through our fingers. Have you ever noticed these words: “at just the right time.” They reveal the Father’s idea of the right time is radically different from ours.

These three Spirit-inspired verses from Paul’s letter show us that God’s view of the right time is when we were powerless. Even if we had wanted to return to the Creator, we were unable.

The whole world had rebelled against God. His voice had gone out to all nations and through all generations, calling us home. The Creator never stopped extending the invitation to return. He revealed himself in every morning mist, and in the cloud of stars we call the Milky Way. To each generation he sent visionaries and poets, describing the beauty of life lived in harmony with the Creator. But we would have none of it. We were unwilling, and unable, to see or hear.

The lesson for disciples is not simply that God is gracious (though he is). Nor is it that he accomplishes redemption when we cannot (he does). His lesson is that the right time to act is when others cannot. In doing so he has set an example for us to follow. How often do we wait for others to meet us halfway?

It seems so logical: those who need help should provide a “show of good faith.” But when we believe this logic we walk away from people in need—materially, emotionally, spiritually—because we think we aren’t they aren’t interested in helping themselves. The Father required no show of good faith: why do we?

One of the lessons of the gospel is that God acted first, without any guarantee his extravagant love would be received. He risked rejection because action had to be taken. This week’s meditation asks if we have the heart to do the same.