Friday 12 November 2010

Background

Today we continue to think about the return of JesusChrist. Click here to read yesterday'snotes.

In this passage, Jesus underlines two of the facts concerning hisreturn: that it will be unmistakable and it will be sudden. To showhow sudden and unexpected the coming will be, the Gospel-writerLuke refers to the Old Testament stories of Noah (Genesis 6-9) and Lot (Genesis 19:1-23)to make the point that it willburst upon people's ordinary life as did the flood, or thedestruction of Sodom.

In verses 26 and 30 Jesus is referred to as the "Son of Man". Aswell as being a term of greeting in New Testament times, the titleis taken from the Old Testament Book of Daniel, where the Son ofMan is a symbol for Israel and is represented coming with theclouds of heaven to receive royal dignity. This heavenly figurewill overthrow the early powers and establish the kingdom ofGod.

Jesus spoke of himself as being called to fulfil this vision ofIsrael's destiny, but he introduced into it twomodifications:

• The Son of Man's path to glory lay through rejection andsuffering.
• His ultimate vindication by God would mean judgement forhumankind.

To Ponder

How is glory seen in rejection and suffering?

What do you understand by 'judgement'?