Lent 2: Epistle, Romans 5:1-11                             

Romans 5:1-11

If you have hung around God’s people for any length of time, at least in America, you will hear the refrain, “God is never late.” Indeed, our Lord has His own calendar and timetable. Of that, any careful Bible reader can be assured. God is meticulous in His timing. Our epistle reading this week points to that reality in God the Son’s death for us. But before we get there, perhaps just one other instance of Paul mentioning God’s timing: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4). 

Now it might be disconcerting to some to think that God has that tight a watch on timing. But I think for most of us it brings comfort. Or should. You see Paul tells the Galatian congregation that Jesus came to the world just when the Father said so. Likewise in our reading this week we learn, “For while were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6, emphasis mine). As the chapter opens we learn that peace with God, from that treasure of God’s justification, comes to us through Jesus. We step into grace by faith, also a gift from God, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory. So rich we are.

Keep reading. Verse upon verse sheds light upon light that the blessing of God was planned and executed (no pun intended), so that the love of God would be poured into our hearts. It’s perfect timing renders to us a security that in Jesus’ death for us as sinners, we might rejoice “in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (v.11b). “Now received.” More words pointing to timing. 

His coming to us … at the right time. His death for us … at the right time. Its result … at the right time. And ultimately, raise your eyes for, face to face, we will see Him ...