An oxymoron is defined as, “a figure of speech that puts together opposite elements. The combination of these contradicting elements serves to reveal a paradox, confuse, or give the reader a laugh.” Common examples of an oxymoron include the phrases, “jumbo shrimp,” “rap music,” and “organized chaos.” Let’s focus on that last example for a moment.
order out of chaos
Organized and chaos are mutually exclusive terms. Chaos means to lack order or organization. Either something is organized, or it is chaotic.
Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.”
In some translations, the word “chaos” is used to describe what the world was like in the beginning, a world without form or order. In the six days of creation, however, God brought order to that chaos. In the Garden of Eden, there were no tornados, hurricanes, or earthquakes. Sickness did not exist, and no one ever died. God brought order out of chaos, and it was good.
chaos of sin
Then, sin entered the world, and chaos ensued once more. Sickness and death now exists, along with natural disasters, toilsome labor, pain in childbirth, and any form of evil and brokenness. And yet, in the midst of it all, there is still organized chaos. The world is not random, there is still form and order to our existence. It is not like it once was, and it is not like it will one day be. The whole world is groaning in anticipation for the fulfillment of the complete abolishment of chaos and the restoration of the form and order that defined the creation as God intended it.
Jesus’ life and death assures us that a better life and world is coming. Jesus‘ death on the cross brought redemption to all the chaos. His resurrection assures us that He accomplished His mission. On the cross, Jesus has defeated the chaos of sin.
chaos defeated
We also see the first-fruits of what we will be through the resurrected body of Jesus. We will have a body similar to ours now, but unlike us in certain, wonderful ways. The limitations and frailties we experience now will not last forever. Now, we live as an oxymoron, as organized chaos.
The resurrection of Jesus both, assures us it will not always be this way and gives us a glimpse of what it will be like when the chaos of sin is forever gone. The first two and the last two chapters of the Bible affirm the same message. As it all began, so shall it be forever. It may be organized chaos now, but in Jesus, the victory is already been won!
As Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, we are entering a time of introspection and prayer leading to Easter. Let us reflect on the significance of death preceding resurrection, urging readers to embrace a daily practice of surrendering self in preparation for our spiritual transformation.