At Snail’s Pace?

I tell you that He will bring about justice for them speedily.   Luke 18:8

Speedily – If it weren’t for this word, we would have no argument with Jesus.  If it weren’t for this word, we would stand beside Martha at the tomb of her brother and acknowledge the last judgment.  If it weren’t for this word, we could understand the death of a child, the rape of the poor, the oppression of the righteous and the destruction  of God’s domain.  But there is no getting around this word.  Jesus said it, so I must come to terms with it.  How is it possible to believe that God will bring justice to His elect speedily?  Abraham waited 400 years.  Isaiah waited 800.  You and I have been waiting 2000.  What is the matter?  Is time so unimportant to God that He claims speed for a snail?

The Greek is from the root tachus.  In English, we see the same root in “tachometer.”  Time in quick succession.  The seconds ticking away.  Rapidly.  Thousands of ticks every day and the sun speeds toward the horizon.  There can be no question that this word, in any context, means fast.  Justice, says Jesus, is only a second away.

But I don’t see it.  I see murder, rape, destitution, persecution, poverty and desperation.  Of course, I can look the other way.  I can pretend that the rest of the world is like my backyard.  I can shield myself from reality in my insulated cocoon of affluence.  But I don’t think Jesus meant that I can speedily look in the other direction.  That is not justice.  Actually, it is sin!

So, what did Jesus mean? 

This word is used only rarely in the New Testament, but three of those occurrences are important.  The first is Romans 16:20.  Satan will soon be crushed.  The second is Revelation 1:1.  These things must shortly come to pass.  The last is Revelation 22:6.  The words are faithful and must shortly take place.  But we still wait for the return of the King and Satan still roams like a roaring lion.  Nevertheless (and it’s a very big “nevertheless”), the battle for justice is over!  We do not see the final act, but the successful end is now inevitable!  We can go on, living in the tension of the “now, but not yet” because “through death He rendered powerless him who had the power of death  . . and delivered those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”

Has final justice been served?  No, and yes.  No, the enemy still attacks.  But yes, the enemy has been stripped of his power, for we no longer fear his threat of death.  Justice is served for death has been robbed of its sting.  Now!  Speedily!  You and I need never again fear what might happen to us in a world where the enemy thrashes about as a shark caught on a line.  His day is finished; his end inevitable.  He holds no power over me.

And speedily, all the rest will come to be.