Time Fulfilled

Jesus came in the fullness of time. Paul uses the example of a child growing up to a certain point. A certain level of maturity. Something his readers could grasp onto. Until a person was physically so mature and mentally so mature certain things couldnt happen. A typical four year old struggles with abstract thinking.

But in the chapter where this verse is found he is also reprimanding the church at Galatia for being so easily convinced to return to the law, which Jesus came to fulfill. Often times it is easier to keep a list to check off. Read my bible. Check. Tithed. Check. Said my prayers. Check. Ok I’m good.

Culture of the timing of His appearing:

Jewish

Roman

Greek

Biblical time of His appearing:

Mark 1:15 ESV

and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Time Filled Up

That word we get as fulfilled can come into English with a variety of nuance: to cram, to level up, to accomplish, to make full, to fill up and to perfect.

This idea sounds like time can be added up. Poured into something that will hold it. Take your phone out. Seriously. This side open your timer. This side open your stopwatch. Hit start. Counting up/counting down.

I don't pretend to understand, but it seems to be that God is counting up. Makes me wonder what else has been or is counting up.

Last week Jesus answered James and John’s mother’s request by posing the question: can you drink of the cup I will drink?

The Cup of Wrath -

It holds the consequences of what was in the cup. For those who believe Jesus drank it. For those who reject Jesus it is still filling up. Their time is still counting up. Piling up higher and higher. talks about when He will stand with the cup of wrath and pour it out for the wicked to drink down to the dregs. He told Jeremiah to take the cup of wrath from His hand and make all He sent Jeremiah to to drink it.

This is not Christ reconciling the world to Himself but the King standing in wrath ready to judge all the wicked of the earth.

But because Jesus drank the cup of God’s wrath for us at the cross, we receive the cup of God's fellowship. The cup of salvation.

Let's compare this to what the psalmist calls the Cup of Salvation:

"I will take up the cup of salvation" (). This cup has far more positive ramifications for us than the curses boiling within God's cup of indignation! The cup of salvation contains all the blessings of God, especially those of eternal life and reward in His Kingdom. It holds pardon and peace. Paradise and salvation.

Time is counting up. The longer it is allowed to go the more wickedness seems to fill the cup of God’s wrath. We seem to have a role in beating back the wickedness. Overcoming. He says it is by the power of His blood and the word of our testimony. But the words have been written. There will come judgement on the earth.

So in this Christmas season will you take up the cup of salvation? Will you believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ so that you may be saved?