In the fullness of time

  

In the beginning.... in the fullness of time....at the end

We like to define life by time; we think linear, forward and backward, fixed points.

So, what does "in the fullness of time" mean? How does this make a difference to when Jesus came to earth? Why does it matter when he came?

PREPARATION

If we believe that God is in control of  everything that happens here, then it stands to reason He had an idea of when the Messiah should come.  So, what made that time so special?

The Greek empire came into power after the Persian empire (which was after Babylon).  Persia allowed the Jews from the southern kingdom to go back to Jerusalem; the Samaritans already occupied an area in the region (thanks to the Assyrian empire).  Alexander the Great believed that the Greek culture was the best and greatest, and he promoted the use and spread of the culture, including the language.  As the empire grew and spread, the leaders left by Alexander helped the language spread.  As it was the main language used, it became the "default" language of the time; it was used in commerce, and in diplomatic situations. This common language tied all areas together and made it easy to exchange ideas and values.  Alexander did not live very long, but the culture was firmly established, despite being divided into four areas after his death.

The Roman empire was growing during all of this time; it was able to exist unthreatened for close to 600 years.  Rome was able to establish peace in their empire so travel was safer and easier, and their legal and political systems were imitated for centuries.  They recognized the good influences from Greece and allowed them to continue to flourish.  

Peace had been established, communication and travel were streamlined, and the Jewish nation was left relatively in peace to define itself as a nation (with the rise of the Herodian family).

During this time the Jewish religious system had been morphing into the system that existed in Jesus' time: Synagogues (places of teaching in most towns), Pharisees (middle-class men who were committed to a strict adherence to their definition of the law) and Sadducees (wealthy, aristocratic priests, forming a group that was more political than religious), along with other groups that grew in time.

So, the time of Jesus was stable, fairly safe, established; travel was common and the ability to communicate made it easier to travel.  Political security and a common language created a stability that made the Message accessible and easier to spread.  God created an environment that would not only allow freedom of movement, but make it easy to spread far and wide... first Jerusalem, then Judea, the to the ends of the earth..

OBSERVATION: Using a Nation "In Captivity"

 Why would God allow Israel to be subservient to Rome, and then send His Son in the middle of this situation?

Israel was expecting a warrior to lead them; they had spent so many years under a series of empires that they couldn't picture a man of peace being their Savior.  The prophecies were there, showing that the Savior would be a man of peace and of sorrow.  The longer that they spent under someone else's thumb, the harder it became to believe that anything peaceful would help them much.

What if Israel was a sovereign nation at this time?  They would most likely have been isolated, preferring solitude as a nation.  It is easy to imagine that they would have disdain for other nations; when initially presented with the idea of reaching out to other people groups with the gospel message, it was met with incredulity that anyone else could be allowed to participate in this salvation

Jesus came when He did so that the whole world at that time would witness His coming, His teachings, His resurrection.  They would also be a witness to the effect these also impacted His disciples and how their lives were changed.

OBSERVATION: The Righteous and the Wicked

(The Future Aspect of the Kingdom, p. 149--Christ in the Synoptic Gospels)

 Why are the righteous and wicked not separated now, on earth? Why not remove the "good" so the "bad" are not an influence?

The righteous live among the wicked to show them the kingdom of God.  How will the wicked see and want to join the kingdom?  We are not to participate in sin, neither are we to hide away.  If you are a growing Christian, you have the tools to withstand sin.  In our growing is where we demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit. We show God's love, we exhibit joy, we display the Spirit of peace, we forbear with others, we are kind to those less fortunate, we do good to those who do wrong to us, we are faithful to our call, we are gentle with ones who are different than us, and we demonstrate self-control.  We are to be different so others see a difference and are attracted to that difference.