This Generation

A common theme in social discussion these days (and perhaps for all time) is to lament the general state of human affairs in which we find ourselves: widespread lawlessness, violent crime, drug addiction, lust for power, hypocrisy among leaders, decline in moral values, and so on. These discussions are potentially significant because they reflect the intensity level of public concern and by extension the public mood and the integrity of the social contract. Is there a relevant biblical perspective?

Jesus also lamented his generation as he castigated the Pharisees for their haughtiness and hypocrisy, predicting the destruction of the temple and a world in chaos preceding the coming of the Son of Man in a cloud with power and glory to execute God’s final judgment. Then in a verse repeated verbatim in all three synoptic gospels, Jesus proclaimed, “Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass a way until all these things have taken place”(Mt. 24:34; Mk. 13:30; Lk. 21:32). Well, the temple was destroyed in 70 CE during “this generation,” but here we are many generations later with no return of the Son of Man arriving in a cloud or even on the horizon.

Theologians are generally agreed that Jesus was simply mistaken, perhaps ill informed by his Father. One notable commentary concludes, “Like the prophets, both Jesus and Luke probably expected the end to come before the end of their generation…”¹ There is no argument about language. The Greek is clear in all three Gospels. “This generation” is defined as those collectively living about the same time. It could be defined as the Jewish people or the human race, but that is a stretch. As for “these things taking place,” certainly there have been plenty of persecutions, wars, pestilence, earthquakes and general world chaos to satisfy the conditions precedent. But Jesus was not a man who became a prophet, but God’s son who became man. Suppose Jesus was not wrong in his claim. What then?

One theologian seems to have it right. ² When Luke cites Jesus’ use of the word “truly” five other times in his gospel, no Christian would doubt the veracity of his message (Lk. 4:24; 12:37; 18:17; 18:29; 23:43). And when Luke reports Jesus referring to “this generation”, Jesus is not referring to people living at a certain time, but to those people who turn their backs on the divine purpose (Lk. 7:31; 9:41; 11:29-32,50-51; 16:8; 17:25). This generation of people does not pass away. It does not give way to the new. It propagates, renews itself and will be with us until the very end. It will not pass away until all “these things” described by Jesus happen and the Son of Man returns in a cloud of glory with power and judgment.

Until then, it seems to me that we should not lament this generation but rather accept its presence and spend our time, efforts and spiritual energy deflecting its significance as best we can with our own behavior as humble servants of God’s Way. And one more thing. Maybe we should take Peter more seriously when he writes, “scoffers will come…..saying, ‘where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were form the beginning of creation!’….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. 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.” (2Pet. 3: 3-9)

So here we are, enjoying the gift of life as God continues God’s experiment with God’s creation. And we do have darn good guidance from God’s son, including the promise of eternal life. Thanks be to God.

1. R. Alan Culpepper, New Interpreters Bible Commentary, Vol. 8, Luke, Nashville, Abingdon Press, 2015
2. Joel Green, Gospel of Luke, Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 1997