2 Peter 3: ³ First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts ⁴ and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!”^… 8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 

Like most of the early Christians, Peter and the readers of this letter had been expecting Jesus to return – like today. Or tomorrow. Or maybe the next day. And I can imagine how this expectation brought a sense of urgency to their proclamation of the gospel. Don’t wait! Repent of your sins and receive the gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ! Eternal life is yours… but do not delay! There is no time to lose!

But then weeks and months and years went by… and no Jesus. And in the meantime the sin and brokenness of the world, the injustice and violence and death, continued unabated. I can imagine that would have been difficult for the early Christians to explain to a skeptical audience. And so they had to deal with “scoffers” mentioned in v.3-4.

“Waiting on the Lord” is one of the primary themes in all of scripture because it’s so difficult to deal with for many of us. I too am looking forward to the day when Jesus comes and sets the world right. And I remember again that, just because Jesus hasn’t returned in over 2,000 years doesn’t mean today is not the day. Or tomorrow. Or the next.

Lord give us grace to be ready for your return, whenever that may be. Amen.