The Mystery of Time

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:8-9

An Advent calendar is a great opportunity to learn about the mysteries of God, time, and numbers. As we wait to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, we pull open the 25 or so flaps on the calendar, one each day. God reveals his gifts through time and numbers.

What would a Second Advent calendar look like, as we wait for Jesus to come again? Well, there would be 730,000 tabs and counting. Each morning for 2,000 years, people have opened the day wondering, “Is it today? . . . Will it happen today? . . . How long before the promise is fulfilled?”

The wife says, “How long before my husband finally notices?” The father says, “How many more days do I have to put up with this job?” The child says, “How many more days before I get to open my presents?” The scoffer says, “How many more flaps until they realize it just ain’t gonna happen?” (This last example was the prompt for this passage in Peter’s letter; some were saying Jesus would never come again.)

Lord, 730,000 is a lot of flaps. Why so many?

The last sentence of the Bible passage above tells us about God’s sense of time and its purpose. He is not slow, but patient, giving everyone time to repent and be saved.

Tomorrow morning when you pull open the 730,001st tab, behind it will be the name of the next person God wants to have a new mind, a new heart, a new life.

How can that happen? God’s wonderful sense of numbers tells us: for an infinity of sins, Jesus suffered one horrible black day on the cross. For an eternity of bright mornings, there is one empty tomb. One righteous act is a thousand perfect years. For a thousand questions, there is a one-Word answer.

Ah, I’m a child again. I look forward to opening my presents: tab #730,002, #730,003 . . .

Dear Lord, may we open each day seeing your patience and purpose. A thousand years is not too long for your grace, and a single day is not too short. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Rev. Brian Dose serves Martin Luther College
as a professor of English.