God Sent His Son

At the Right Time.

Timing is important. Have you ever been told that? Some people even say timing is everything. Even though December 25th has already gone by we are still in Christmas time. Heather and I once had a neighbor who already had their tree out on the curb by December 26th. I don’t know about you but I’d like to at least give time for the wisemen to show up before moving on from Christmas.

Our scripture readings for today talk about timing or waiting. Simeon had eagerly waited for the day that he would see the Messiah. Anna had also eagerly waited in the Temple day and night fasting and praying. Paul, disrupts our after Christmas lull with these words, “At the right time, God sent his Son...”

As we sit here in the light of Christmas lets not be in a rush to escort the tree to the curb. To take down the lights or to stop singing Christmas songs. Instead on the eve of a new year take time to reflect on how the Word made flesh has brought light to the darkness of our lives. At the right time God sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world to save sinners, and at the right time Christ will come again.

Adoption

Paul in this brief passage summarizes the entirety of the work of Christmas. We need to remember when Paul wrote these words he didn’t have the gospels to reference or the bible as we know it for that matter. Yet in nearly a perfect summary we can hear echoes of John 1 and John 3.

John 1:10–13 NRSV

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

John 3:3–6 NRSV

3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Because God sent his son at the right time. When it was time to flip the switch from BC to AD. When it was time to switch from living by the law to living through the Spirit. God sent his son! Why?

Galatians 4:5-6 gives us the answer. For thousands of years the people of God had lived under the heavy weight of the law. No matter how hard they tried to keep it they failed. They were slaves under the law. Thanks be to God at the right time God sent us his son, to free us from this heavy burden and set us to live by his Spirit through which we cry out Abba! Daddy! We are no longer slaves but sons and daughters of God, living through the Spirit within us.

Galatians: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition a. Paul’s Argument (4:1–7)

The sending of the Spirit fulfilled the promise of the fifth century B.C. prophets (see Jer 31:31–34; Ezek 36:26–27) that he would free stubborn human hearts to become responsive to God’s call to obedience

Simeon and Anna were waiting patiently for the coming of Christ. Brothers and sisters the work of Christmas began that day to redeem all creation. Jesus came that others could boldly enter into life in the Spirit.

As 2024 approaches lets roll out the red carpet, through open the doors and welcome others into the family of God.

Galatians: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition From the Text

Paul’s meaning is clear enough: Just in time, God invaded our malfunctioning world as one of us. His Son entered our slavery to free us and sent his Spirit to empower us to be God’s children (see Col 1:13; Gal 1:3 [“God our Father”]; 3:26; 4:4–7) because we were powerless to save ourselves.

Christ Will Come Again!

At the right time God sent his Son. 1 Timothy 1:15

1 Timothy 1:15 NLT

15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.

At Christ’s first advent there were 2 people eagerly waiting for his arrival. At the right time God will send Christ again let’s pray and hope his welcoming committee is deeper than 2 people.

As we watch the light of 2023 go out, reflect on how God, who we can boldly now call our father because of Christ, lit our path through the hard days and lead through to the good times. Reflect on what God sending his Son at the right time has meant for you personally and for us collectively as the family of God.

Abba, may the light of your son Jesus Christ guide us as we enter a new year. Give us eyes to see the new things you are doing among us. May others recognize the work of Christmas. That at the right time you sent your son Jesus Christ to buy our freedom from the law we had become slaves to, that we may become children of God. Filled with the same Spirit the conceived Christ in Mary’s womb, the same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, the same Spirit that blew at Pentecost, stirs in our hearts and causes us to cry out Abba Father! All Glory be to Christ we are no longer slaves but sons and daughters of God the Father, the almighty maker of heaven and maker of earth. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.