The Long Expected Jesus: Part 1 - He is Expected

            When something happens that I do not expect, I tend to react in extremes. One extreme is happiness to the point of hilarity, and the other is anger that prompts isolation. This is true in what I expect from others, myself, and God. We all have expectations and I would suppose that you have reactions that are like mine.

            Being that the Christmas is a season of expectation, it is applicable to ask, what can I expect from the arrival of Jesus? For some, we expect Jesus to meet our expectations. Others expect Jesus to exceed their expectations. In Jesus’ day, many expected a warrior king. Others expected a serving shepherding.  Their expectations were only as good as their understanding of Scripture not their understanding of their fellow human beings. Same goes for us today.

            There seems to be a common expectation among those who have accepted Jesus and those who have rejected Him. Both groups expect or expected Jesus to make things better. He is expected to make our past somehow turn out better than it would without Him. If Jesus is real than the future of the world should be better than it is right now. No matter how people feel about Jesus, there seems to be a common thought that today simply cannot be the best of times.  

            Expecting Jesus to make things better is an idea that we received from the prophecies spoken about Him. Paying attention to the prophet Micah we can see why people of Jesus’ day had expectations of a better world at His. Jesus is expected to make all things better. Micah 4-5

Considering these two chapters, Pastor Shawn Smucker state, “can we even begin to imagine this kind of universe, where worldly power is upended, where war is extinct, where nations no longer prepare for battle, but instead seek the mountain of the Lord? Can we even begin to imagine a world where no one is afraid?”

            As you read these two chapters along with this post, please consider the following points. The expectation of a future hope and unified peace (4:1-5). To have this expectation become a reality, we must learn how to walk in the ways He modeled for us. A better future is not just handed to us, but Jesus invites us into His work of a better future.

            This better future included the expectation of deliverance from distress (4:6-10) For this to become true, may we understand how and why God has brought us to a place where we wish for something better. If we can understand this, God will walk us through the process of His restoration making us watchtowers and stronghold for God’s people. In the book of Micah God has brought His people to a place where they would see their need of revival bringing repentance. Perhaps that where our better future begins as well.

            A third expectation was the expectation of victory from siege (4:11-13). Their enemies apparent thoughts of victory over God’s people was out of ignorance of God’s plan. I think this is similar to why we at times feel like our expectations have led to let downs. Ignorance of God’s plan usually leads to the attempt to complete our own. The speed of our victory often depends on our willingness to learn and accept the plans God has for us.

            The final expectation in our text was one that formed the expectations of the people during the days leading up to the arrival of Jesus. They expected to be moved from a helpless ruler to an ideal King (5:1-6). The initial fulfillment for those in Micah’s day was the revival brought about by the leadership of Hezekiah nearing the year 701B.C. and the ultimate fulfillment at the arrival of Jesus and the founding of His kingdom.

            As the people of Micah’s day, we to find ourselves waiting for Jesus, expecting things to be better in the future. I think this is a good thing because God has promised for this to be true. I also think this is good because as we have been created in the image of God, we innately understand that the world is broken and there must be something better. But until then we live with promises. As you wait, I pray that you begin to rest in the reality that you have all you need as you expectantly wait. 1 Corinthians 1:7-9 “Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

            Finally, as we wait for Jesus, may we be awake with expectation (Mark 13:32-37). Christmas is indeed a time of expectation. But may we not be spiritually asleep, imprisoned by our own expectations. If we find ourselves in such an imprisonment, I pray that God presents Himself to you in such a way that prompts a revival birthed in repentance.