April 17, 2007

Entanglement

Colossians 3:1-11

Since ... you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above ... Colossians 3:1

— 

In quantum physics, the term entanglement describes the way subatomic particles with a common past may interact with one another regardless of how far apart they are.

According to the website Whatis.com, "Quantum entanglement allows qubits that are separated by incredible distances to interact with each other immediately, in a communication that is not limited to the speed of light. Entanglement is a real phenomenon (Einstein called it ?spooky action at a distance') which has been demonstrated through experimentation. The mechanism behind it cannot, as yet, be fully explained by any theory."

All that is very complicated. But Paul sees Christians entangled in Christ. When Christ was raised, we were raised with him. When he died, we died. Our identity is entangled in his.

Paul says our life is now hidden with Christ in God. There's a Greek myth about a deer that hunters and wolves could not kill because the life of the deer was hidden in the belly of a fish that swam the oceans of the world. To kill the deer would require catching the fish. Our life is hidden with Christ in God.

Finally, "when Christ, who is [our] life, appears, then [we] also will appear with him in glory."

It's a most blessed entanglement.

Lord Jesus, because you claim us as your very own, we would set our affections on the things that please you. Renew us in your image as our Creator and Savior, we pray. Amen.

About the author — Jack Roeda

Rev. Jack Roeda is the senior pastor at Church of the Servant Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and an adjunct professor of preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary. He is married to Carol Sue Kok, and they have three children and two grandchildren. Pastor Roeda has served two previous churches: Exeter (Ont.) Christian Reformed Church and Calvary Christian Reformed Church, Holland, Michigan.

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