Do You Eagerly Await the Return of Jesus?

Thinking about Romans 8:22-23.

Photo by Jackson David on Unsplash

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:22-23)

Just as Paul pictures the creation as standing on its tiptoes, awaiting the future glory of God’s children, God’s children also eagerly await that moment when Christ returns.

As we discussed in a recent article, the creation is pictured as eagerly awaiting its deliverance from the curse God placed upon it because of man’s sin (Genesis 3:17-19; 5:29).

Those with the first fruits of the Spirit are eagerly waiting.

But it’s not just the creation. Those who have the “firstfruits of the Spirit” also “groan” and “eagerly await” what is to come.

In the Old Testament, the “first fruits” were the first part of the harvest or the firstborn from the flocks that were dedicated to God (Exodus 23:19; Numbers 18:12-18; Deuteronomy 18:4; 26:2, 10; Nehemiah 10:37). The idea of first fruits is also similar to Paul’s discussion elsewhere of the Spirit as the “pledge” or “down payment” (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14). - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 290

Some believe those who had the first fruits of the Spirit is a reference to only the apostles. However, the apostles were not the only ones eagerly awaiting what was to come.

All Christians (not just the apostles) who have the “deposit” (the Holy Spirit) also are “tiptoe” in expectation looking for their “adoption.” - McGuiggan, Romans, 249

What are Christians eagerly waiting for?

What it is that Christians are “standing on tiptoe” eagerly waiting for? The redemption of our body.

Paul was…describing our sighing and longing for home. We wait for the final transformation of our lowly, corruptible bodies into the likeness of His glorious body at the second coming (1 Corinthians 15:42-57; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2). - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 290

When Jesus returns to take us home (Philippians 3:20-21) to be with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18):

• We will be like Him in some way (1 John 3:2).

• Our bodies will be changed to be incorruptible and immortal (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).

• Death will be “swallowed up” in His victory (1 Corinthians 15:54-56).

To those enduring suffering, Paul reminds them that their future glory far outweighs the suffering they are facing now.

And in light of that fact, we remember the Holy Spirit’s encouragement to Christians through Paul:

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)