David Bahn – Reflections

Galatians 4:4-5

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Some people are last minute shoppers; I’ll admit to that of myself. Sometimes that works out well. But sometimes it doesn’t work so well to wait until the last minute. When it comes to timing, however, God has it well in hand. “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son.” The time was right. The world was experiencing a significant peace. There was one language by which the message of the Gospel could be shared. The Roman road system made it possible to travel relatively safely. The Roman law protected citizens’ rights. There was a degree of religious tolerance.

The time was right and God acted to redeem the world by sending His Son into the world. Jesus was “born of a woman:”  a human birth. Jesus was born under the law: he was subject to the same moral, physical and emotional realities that we are. He was born to redeem us who don’t always get the time right.

No mortal could accomplish our redemption. This is God’s Son. As such He is also not only right on time, but in charge of time itself. God never looks down from heaven and says, “Wait a minute! I’ve not gotten things lined up quite right. He never goes into crisis mode because of a lack of planning.

God does, however, put things together in His good time. Never rushed, always in control, God does His work in the world according to His plan. When Jesus began His public ministry, His sermon was simple: “The time has come. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the Gospel” (Mark 1:15).

While we struggle with time and timing; God is at work fulfilling His purposes in His good time. We may wonder sometimes about the whys and whens of God’s work in our lives. But God’s right-minute gift is our adoption into His family and the inheritance of a timeless experience of His love and life.