Waiting in anticipation (Week 1 of Advent)
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. (Matthew 2:1-12 ESV)
Anticipation is expectation with the confidence with fulfillment
These kings that we read about we're not just waiting on something that might happen. They had confidence that it was going to happen.
Perhaps some of y'all can remember the joy of waiting on Santa on Christmas Eve. You go to bed but you can't sleep, you toss and you turn and you can't go to sleep because you're so excited. Maybe it's the day before a long waited trip. I know I can't sleep before we head out to the races. When we look forward to something it shows. We literally get excited.
When we are anticipating we do things to make sure we don't miss it. We get prepared. At Christmas time we put up the tree, we hang up the lights, and we hang up the stockings in hopes that St. Nick will soon be there. When we anticipate we don't just sit there. We get ready.
The wise men got ready. They knew the king was coming, they didn't know when and that's what makes this story pretty cool. Because who knows how long they prepared, how long they gazed up at the stars waiting for everything to be just right. And as soon as the moment came they jumped on the opportunity. They followed the star and didn't let anyone, not even Herod, get in their way.
These kings that we read about we're not just waiting on something that might happen. They had confidence that it was going to happen.
Perhaps some of y'all can remember the joy of waiting on Santa on Christmas Eve. You go to bed but you can't sleep, you toss and you turn and you can't go to sleep because you're so excited. Maybe it's the day before a long waited trip. I know I can't sleep before we head out to the races. When we look forward to something it shows. We literally get excited.
When we are anticipating we do things to make sure we don't miss it. We get prepared. At Christmas time we put up the tree, we hang up the lights, and we hang up the stockings in hopes that St. Nick will soon be there. When we anticipate we don't just sit there. We get ready.
The wise men got ready. They knew the king was coming, they didn't know when and that's what makes this story pretty cool. Because who knows how long they prepared, how long they gazed up at the stars waiting for everything to be just right. And as soon as the moment came they jumped on the opportunity. They followed the star and didn't let anyone, not even Herod, get in their way.
So they traveled and traveled. And they made it to the town of Bethlehem. And then they find the stable and the manger, aka the feeding trough for the animals. And in this stable they find a helpless baby and two parents who are very poor. But yet they don't question it. I mean they are looking for the King of the Jews, and they find a baby wrapped in rags.
We don't do that. They realized that God uses the foolish to confound the wise.
We don't do that. They realized that God uses the foolish to confound the wise.
Are you prepared?
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13 ESV)
Are you anticipating Christ's return? Are you getting prepared? Or are you just sitting there? Do you know Christ as you're savior? Are you doing His will?
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13 ESV)
Are you anticipating Christ's return? Are you getting prepared? Or are you just sitting there? Do you know Christ as you're savior? Are you doing His will?
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