MODERN EXPECTATIONS
Can you recall in your life, where your expectations was not met? When something didn’t come out the way you expected or planned? I think all of us can relate.
How about this, a loved one, someone really close to you, disappointed you! Maybe even to the point of avoidance or family ties started to be cut.
What expectations gives us is a sense of hope, yet without full guarantee of the outcome. That’s what the world sees it as. In truth, there is a measure of faith involved with expectations.
There was once a man whom had visited a local National Park he had not visited before, and while visiting a lady struck up a conversation with him about the beauty of the park in the daybreak. Compelled by her realism, he was convinced the next day he would get up early and come see the great spectacle. Waking up to his alarm, he saw daybreak through his bedroom window, and starting to be disappointed that he missed his goal, he rushed to get ready and eventually arrived at the park. Seeing many sunrises before, he did start to see the sun rise above the horizon, and what a view it was to see. Well worth it he said! But just then, the sun began to creep upwards and the colorful light spectacle shinned on the clouds and eventually into the valley and all its inhabitants. This is what the lady must have meant! The spectacle of the sun spreading its Love throughout the park in such a wonderful and unexpected way! The mans original thoughts was nowhere to what actually happened. It went from another sunrise, to a one of a kind sunrise. Something to always remember.
When reading the Gospel of Matthew, we are sort of perplexed by John’s question to Jesus.
So here John we find John is in prison at Machaerus. John had disciples whom he asked to relay a message to Jesus stating “Are you the one we are to expect, or is there another?”
At first glance, this shows doubt doesn’t it? Honestly its more of reassurance than doubt, but doubt nonetheless. So is Christ the Deliverer! Is Jesus whom he says he is!
Now lets look back at when John baptized Jesus, John knew from the Holy Spirit, Jesus was the one! But now you see the doubt!
What exactly was Johns expectations?
So here is Jesus’s response to his question:
Firstly, Jesus told the disciples to relay, Tell John what you heard and seen me do!
The actions and deeds give merit to the confirmation, so in Isaiah chapter 29, 35 and 61 tells of the chosen messiah to heal the sick, deaf and blind which is what Jesus continues to do
Another thing is to have the poor have the gospel preached to them. Its not a Saints only club, its also gentiles, Jews, all nationalities alike.
Then Jesus continues stating a blessing for those that are not offeneded, those who preserve in faith despite suffering, which is what John is doing at that very moment.
So now we have a precursor of what exactly was John Expecting. John received this obviously from Jesus as a reminder and assurance he is the one. But Jesus doesn’t stop there.
So when John was in the wilderness, preaching repentance to everyone, what was he expecting to see out there? A reed trembling in the wind?
Let me give you an idea here! In the Jordan Valley, reeds was everywhere, nothing abnormal, nothing extraordinary, so did John just go out into the wilderness to see another reed?
NO!
He expected to see someone maybe clothed in fine garments, drapped in Gold, lavish splendor around him, lots of stuff maybe, Royalty colors with servants, what ever the expectations was. But he didn’t expect Jesus! The way he looked, acted and portraited! BUT, John did keep his Godly mind open, knowing he was following Gods instructions to prepare the way, but was ultimately surprised.
So John went into the wilderness, to see a prophet! He knew it!
Having Johns example here, what do we expect? I am not convinced if Jesus came back as the messiah in 21st century, how much different of an expectation that would be!
Our Expectations! What a concept!
Nothing has changed in the world when it comes to sin, and our separation from God. Just think, the little baby, born in a humble manger, will solve the problems. Yet, we have to do something! Have Faith for starters! Let me read 1 John and hear what it says “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-Our Faith.”
Our faith is what the key starts with especially when seeking God. So what are we to expect from a small baby that was born over two thousand years ago?
John made the statement of wanting to understand what Jesus really was.
So let me describe to you a better understanding of what to expect!
It comes from a minor prophet Hosea, and he gives account of Israel in its demise while attempting to find their way which was hopeless. But listen to what he said, “Israel has defiled itself. Their deeds will not allow them to return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them, and they do not know the Lord……And he goes onto say; They will go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord but they will not find him. He has withdrawn from them. They have dealth treacherously against the Lord.”
Israel has demonstrated just as we today, our sad and sinful behavior to avoid God, separate ourselves from God, distance our selves from God, reject God, replace God, and so on. But lets hear what Gods comment is in Hosea in Chapter 6 verse 6 “For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
Just think, the prophets of old foretold Christs coming, birth, death and resurrection, so honestly the expectations was already present in scripture. But what did mankind do? We fabricated it some, forgot, lost the words, exercised another theory, basically all but forgot the True Meaning God had planned, which was to Fellowship with his children!
Christ was not to come to pave a way to riches and glory on earth! Or to take a big axe and chop the tree down that hindered Israel and the world which was rome. To expect God to bring down millions of angels to wipe out all evil and destroy the evil one permanently at this very minute is NOT a reasonable expectation, you know why? That has already been done! Death, Hell and the Grave has been defeated! Before Christ, sins atonement was needed to be dealth with a blood sacrifice.
We as his followers need to believe whom Christ is, expect him to full fill his promises as he always has. In return, expecting ourselves to listen and follow him. We need to know who he is to us!
Friends, the Modern Expectation of Christmas, isn’t something to worry about or to flaunt over, but it is to be regarded cautiously as to the true meaning of what Christmas really means. Birth of our Saviour that saved every single one of us period!
The purpose, plan and what ever else comes to light will always shine just as we read in Hosea. Wrong doers will be judged just as the righteous, the wheat will be separated from the chaff. We have to remember who the Christ child really is, what we expect from him and what our expectations in return are. Christ came to save, not destroy, Christ came to give life and give it more abundandtly, Christ came to save not just the rich or just the poor, but everyone! Christ came to ultimately fulfill Gods Holy Plan of redemption and salvation that would be a permanent solution to this little three letter word called ‘sin’.
IN closing, let me challenge you friends, having the wrong expectations of who Christ is to the world is a start, just start mind you to Love God. Scripture tells us “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
You must come to him honestly. Confess your sins and invite him into your heart
You must understand your reliance upon him. You can do NOTHING without him. You cannot live the Christian lifes journey without Christ.
You must become interested in what interests him. Godly things, what you long for should also reflect God in your life.
You must know and study his word. We have fortunte opportunity to have bibles readily accessible when just few hundred years ago that wasn’t possible. Having his word at our disposable is a miraculous thing.
You must accept his invitiation and follow his command. Basically obey! Trust in him fully. Your obedience will certain bring great blessings.
Expectations are a element of faith. We have to hope and pray for Gods ways to be revealed to us, but if its not clear at first, don’t lose hope, just as God went silent 400 years before Christ, God never forgot his children and his promises. Amen