Now for the final link in the targum of Colossians 3:1-4 by Walsh and Keesmaat (Colossians Remixed).
It’s not always clear which part of Colossians they are “targumizing” — what is summary and transition at the end of a secition and what might be introduction to the next. But, this is text and targum are close to one another.
Col. 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
But thats not the way it is with you, is it? You know which metanarrative brings life, don’t you? You know whose grand story has set you free, don’t you? Remember, in Christ you have died and were buried and have been raised to new life. His story is your story! Your identity and destiny are inextriicably tied to the story of Jesus. And there is more to this story.
The risen one is the ascended one, sitting at the right hand of God! If you have been raised with Christ, then. you must also make your own the rest of his story. Allow your imagination, your vision, your hope to be set on and directed by this image of kingly and restorative rule. And this narrative of death, burial, resurrection and ascension still isn’t the whole story. You see, Christ will return; his hidden rule in heaven will be revealed on earth-and just as his full glory wll be revealed, so also will this be a revelation of your full glory as restored, renewed and fruitful image-bearers of God. When that happens, this whole business of exchanging your true glory as Gods image-bearers for the kind of idolatry that continues to tempt and oppress you will come to a final and liberating end! Do you feel incomplete, not yet fully who you are called to be? Good! Because you are incomplete, and any presumptuous sentiments otherwise would land you right back into idolatry.
But we do live in hope. The struggle between the restorative rule of God in Christ and false, empty, deceitful pretenders to sovereignty-this struggle we experience deep within our bodies, our communities, our culture-will reach a final resolution in the return of Christ. Yes, are are waiting, but what we are waiting for is already stored up for us in Christ’s heavenly rule and will be revealed in his coming. So live now, animated by that radically subversive hope.