One thing that can’t be avoided when getting ready for the Big Day is, the Big Day will come, but will we be ready for its arrival?
When Jesus arrived on this earth it seemed few were ready. No welcome party, no diplomats, no hotel, no bed. It seemed nothing and no one was ready for the arrival of God’s Son, the Saviour of the World, the King of Kings.
People were expecting a Big Day when God would send the Messiah, the fulfilment of God’s promise to His people.
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign over David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”
They were expecting the Big Day. The problem for the people of God was, when the Day of Arrival came and the Messiah appeared, it wasn’t how they anticipated it would be.
This was a result of religious leaders focusing only on the messianic Passages (Psalm 2.2-9, Psalm 20.6-9, Psalm 45.3-7, Psalm 110.1-6, Micah 5.1-6, Isaiah 7.13-15, Isaiah 11.1-9) Thus, leading people to expect a Royal, Political and Religious Saviour to appear and set them free from their oppressor, and set up the Davidic kingdom once again, and not a baby born into a poor family.
When Christmas Day arrives and you open your gift, there is the potential that what is under the wrapping will not be what you are expecting. You may get something you don’t want.
What are you going to do, lie and say “it’s what I have always wanted?” Ask for the receipt or put it away and give it to someone else next year? Or make it easy for your husband and tell him what you want!
1. The Story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel (Gen 29) Jacob’s response to not getting what he hoped for was to remain faithful.
Many people walk away from their husband or wife because they haven’t turned out the way they had hoped. Most women don’t look as good in the morning as they did the night before when they have their make- up on, and the man’s “six pack” often just turns into one beer belly. It is, of course, good to look after yourself. However, life is not a Hollywood movie and sometimes husbands and wives don’t, or can’t, live up to the movie image. Our response as God’s people is faithfulness and commitment to the covenant we have made.
2. Amongst the Apostles Jesus had called to be with him, was friction, jealousy and rivalry, while they travelled with Jesus. (Matt 18:1 Luke 22:24) After Jesus was dead and buried the Apostles, I feel, began to think, ‘well that’s it, Jesus is gone, I was only here because of Jesus so there is no way I am sticking around to be with you lot.’ Thomas had locked himself away from the other disciples. Peter ran off, denying knowledge of Jesus, and went back to fishing.
Jesus came to Peter asking, “Do you Love Me?” If our answer, like Peter’s, is “Yes” then we have a responsibility to feed Jesus’ Sheep. This is all about caring for the needs of God’s people.
God’s people, especially in the local Church, often don’t turn out as you hoped. Even God’s people hurt and disappoint, and, of course, the Devil always knows a ‘Christian that will get on your nerves, get on your nerves, and get on you nerves.’
How should we respond when God’s people don’t turn out as we had hoped? Well, can I put some words in the mouth of Jesus that I am sure he would not disagree with; “Love me, Love my Sheep,” even the wondering ones, the smelly ones, the irritating ones. “Love me, love my sheep” 1John 2:3-11
When God’s Big Day arrived, some Rejected Jesus and some Received Jesus.
The religious rejected Jesus because it was not the way they expected things to happen. Do your best to avoid the legalism of religion that has no room for God doing things His way. Do your best to be in a relationship with God. Relationship is about spontaneity. You just don’t know what fantastic surprises God has round the corner for you. John 1:1-18
Those who received Jesus in the way God sent Him, were people who just wanted God.
The Wise Men were looking and longing for God’s big Day to arrive, and none said, when they got there, “he’s just a wee baby.” Matt 2:1-12
Simeon & Anna, in the temple, were looking and longing for God’s Big Day to arrive and they didn’t say “he’s just a wee baby.” Luke 2:21-40
The longing in the hearts of Simeon & Anna for the arrival of Jesus, meant religion was not enough, and that their eyes were open to see the arrival of God’s promised Saviour, coming according to God’s unexpected method, a baby.
The boy with bread and fish that fed thousands; the mud rubbed in a man’s eyes; touching the untouchable lepers; dining with a tax collector; a fish with money in its mouth; the amazing catch of fish when all night long there were no fish to be found; the value of the widow’s small offering; the examples could go on and on. The point is, let God do His thing, His way and not how religion has stipulated, or how it seems to be happening to another church or Christian down the road.
