Day 279: Advent in the First Churches COLOSSAE

 Day 279

          Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic 

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

pastorrobert@paxpres.org

Week Forty    Friday 18 December 2020

Advent in the First Churches: Colossae
Seven churches – seven letters – seven days.

Colossians 3:1-5,12

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry,…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

The Greek word translated “appears” means to be made manifest, visible, apparent, clear, and carries with it the explicit understanding that he currently is none of the above. It doesn’t mean he isn’t around, just that we can’t see him.

Notice the ‘upward’ direction of this entire section: “…raised with Christ…set your hearts on things above where Christ is…Set your minds on things above…you will appear with him in glory.” There are two mutually exclusive categories here, two oppositional world views: “things above” and “your earthly nature.” Both categories involve unseen dynamics that can play out in our lives and manifest themselves in our behavior and the unavoidable consequences of our behavior.

These two realms are volitional in nature, that is, they are dependent on our will, our sometimes frightening power to choose. Listen to the ‘choosing verbs’ – “set your hearts…set your minds…put to death…clothe yourselves…”  These are all preparatory to “when Christ appears.”     

Reflective question: Which of the volitional verbs above is most difficult for you to commit to?

Remember, anything God asks of us we cannot do on our own, for if we could, we would do it without Him, and everything He asks of us He will empower us to do if we but ask.

Reflective hymn: “Angels, From the Realms of Glory” – James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Verses 4 and 5 of this carol focus on the second advent/coming

4. Saints before the altar bending, watching long in hope and fear,

Suddenly the Lord, descending in His temple shall appear.

5. Tho’ an infant now we view Him, He will share His Father’s throne,

Gather all the nations to Him; every knee shall then bow down:

Come and worship, come and worship;

Worship Christ, the newborn King.