An inheritance becomes available to the heir, say, at the age of 21. An engagement ring is a symbol of a wedding to come. A signed real estate contract means the sale of a house must wait until the all-important closing and exchange of keys. A publishing contract means future book signings and book royalties. Each is thrilling in its own right but is not yet a fulfilled promise. Each feels like a new beginning, a new chapter, a new life – each just around the corner, in due time.
With the birth of Jesus, an unprecedented ‘all things new’ had begun. But it was mostly a Ninja-like invasion, unperceived, springing to action in the dead of night in a secluded grotto, in a non-descript village. And like a Ninja operation, it began with precision and assurance, step by step, subtly at first, then more openly, more dangerously, through to its victorious conclusion, out of a grotto like at its début.
The above thoughts have led me to Paul’s well-known, if frequently puzzling, declaration in 2 Corinthians 5:17, ‘ . . . anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!’ He is saying that an ‘all things new’ has been transacted and is now established, permanent, eternal. It’s kind of like a group at lunch at a restaurant, waiting for their checks, and the server comes to say the bill has already been fully paid (when no one was looking). It’s a done deal, without the slightest twitch on the part of any but the ‘one’ in the group. It was a planned, uber-generous gift, unexpected, humbling, evoking less-than-adequate, albeit most sincere, thanks. The next part, about a new life having been begun, could perhaps be compared to the moment of a baby’s conception. It’s imperceptible, nevertheless very much begun. Still a secret, but soon to begin making a series of ‘announcements,’ revealing its very real presence. What this ‘begun’ life will one day look like is yet a mystery.
This Kingdom breakthrough has been advancing for 2,000 years. It is not yet complete. Its progress continues to unfold much in the Ninja style, without fanfare, behind the scenes, quietly expanding like yeasted bread dough in a warm room. The church of Jesus Christ, as Kingdom ambassadors, are strong in number and in spirit, and are fleshing out God’s Plan ‘A’ around the globe. Until every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. PD
