Expectantly Waiting

Just a few weeks ago the news came across the airwaves that Prince William and Katherine Middleton were expecting a baby.  People have been waiting since the day they were married for this moment.  The line of succession to the British throne will be named in one more generation – and in these days whether male or female, the first born will be the heir who follows Prince Charles and Prince William.  Many people find comfort and security and will love the new baby when it’s born because of its place in the royal line.

We have just come through the Christmas season and the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  When Jesus was born, people had been waiting expectantly for hundreds of years for someone to come and rescue them from the troubles in their lives.  Angels announced to Mary and Joseph that Jesus was the one but it was still about 30 years more before Jesus’ ministry of healing and blessing became evident to others around him.

Crowds of people heard Jesus’ cousin John preach wonderful sermons and knew he’d been born in unusual circumstances (angel coming to his father in his old age and promising a child to be born long after his mother Elizabeth should have been able to bear children).  They wondered if he might be the one who could set them free.

¹⁵ The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. ¹⁶ John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Luke 3:15-16 NIV)

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.  (John 1:6-8 NIV)

John was very straight forward in his response to the people that the true Saviour, the only one who could fill us up with God’s saving power, was Jesus Christ.  John was right.  The one our hearts and our world needs is Jesus.  He alone has power to fill us with the Holy Spirit so we can be purified from all that’s wrong in us and blessed for service for the Living God.  We have been created to find our security and our joy in giving our allegiance and loving service to God.  Let’s continue to celebrate the royal birth and the saving life that Jesus Christ has brought to our earth.  Let’s give ourselves to our Heavenly King and align our lives with His reign of peace and justice, truth and grace.