The Return of Christ

How Our Thoughts About His Return Impact Us

Instead of being greeted with a parade and fanfare by the masses, Jesus was welcomed into the world by two parents, animals, and some shepherds. Not really a reception befitting the savior of the world.

The ancient prophecies led people to anticipate a warrior king in the tradition of David, one who would establish his reign through the might of the sword. Consider the words of Isaiah 11:4, for instance, “He shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.”

It's not hard to see why the people misinterpreted these prophecies. When you've suffered under oppression for so long, a common experience for the people of God, you naturally long for a deliverer who will obliterate your oppressors. Who wouldn't be expecting a messianic version of Rambo to descend from on high?

Little wonder that so many missed him then, and miss him now. It also explains why the great apostle Paul (who also missed him initially) spent so much time, “proving that Jesus was the Christ” (Acts 9:22).

What was elusive to them was the idea of how the Messiah would conquer. Not by sword or spear, but by sacrificially laying down his life for others.

Philippians 2:5-11 beautifully captures this strategy of salvation. It illustrates how Jesus, despite his divine status, willingly embraced the role of a servant and even accepted death on the cross. His humble approach ends with God vindicating him, and setting him up on high!

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. — Philippians 2:9-11

This same Messiah will come again and, sadly, despite knowledge of how he was amongst us at the first Advent, many people expect his second coming to be with a sharpened sword in his hand ready to cut down unbelievers. “This time,” they might say, “he means business!”

In other words, many are making the same interpretive mistake that was made before his first coming.

Now, consider the implications of such a belief. If Jesus is expected to return with bloodshed, what does that say about his first coming? Is he truly a peacemaker, or does he ultimately seek retribution and violence?

I don’t pretend to have a clear understanding of how Jesus will return, and I still struggle trying to understand what many of the eschatological passages mean. But here’s what I know: our expectations of Jesus's return will influence our own attitudes and behaviors. If we hope for a conquering, avenging deity, that's the kind of mindset we'll likely adopt. However, if we endeavor to see his return in light of how he revealed himself and God in the Bible, we may just adopt the same mindset that he had.

In Matthew 24:45, Jesus asks this question:

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?

The answer must be, the faithful and wise servant is the one who governs the masters house with the character and vision of the master in mind. So much so that when the master returns he will say, “Well done.”

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