What Are Your Expectations?

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
Luke 2 (click the link)


KEY VERSES:
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:5-7, NIV)

Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 

 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:27-38, NIV)

REFLECTIONS:

My wife and others were recently able to visit what is believed by archeologists to be the actual site of Jesus’ birth place.  At the time of Jesus, this was the actual birthing place for the lambs that were raised specifically to be sacrificed to God at the temple.  The lambs, when birthed, were covered with these strips of cloth to keep them pure.  The shepherds were surprised when they saw a baby instead of a lamb in the birthing area wrapped with strips of cloth normally used to keep the lambs pure.  This site looks nothing like the manger scenes we see at Christmastime. It is not a wooden stable; it is dug into the ground.  The layout of the area where Jesus was born even models the layout of the temple.  There would have been no other animals like cows or oxen because that would have been considered unclean.  There weren’t inns back then, at least not how we think of them.  Visitors would stay with family members in guest quarters.  For Mary and Joseph’s family, the guest quarters were more like a cave that oversaw what could have possibly been the threshing floor that was in the story of Boaz and Ruth.  This is believed to belong to the house of David because of the emblem above the entrance to the cave.  When looking back at the Old Testament stories, everything ties together to support that this truly could be the place Jesus was born, making us have to adjust our preconceived expectations of what Christ’s birthplace looks like.

During the time of Jesus’ birth, everyone in Israel was waiting expectantly for the Messiah.  While most of the Jewish conversations had something to do with the coming Messiah, even King Herod’s palace was built overlooking this actual spot because the Messiah was prophesied to come from this place.  King Herod was planning to kill the Messiah before he could overthrow him.  Herod was expecting a great military leader with an army to overthrow his kingdom not a baby in a manager that was to be sacrificed at the temple for our sins.  The Jewish people thought God would restore Israel and make them the envy of every nation—a mighty nation overtaking other nations by might and force, just like the glory days of David.  They would overthrow the Romans and make all nations subservient to them.  It was all about national pride, control, being the envy of every nation because of their wealth and power, the big “I,” etc.  It was never about being “a light that will reveal salvation to the Gentiles” as shouted by Simeon in the temple.  I could see the Pharisees getting ready to stone Simeon for making the statement about bringing salvation to the Gentiles.  They were an unclean people and enemies of the Jews.  Israel did not want to bring the light and salvation to the Gentiles that were currently oppressing them, even though this was their calling from God at the very beginning.  Because of their worldly preconceived expectations of the Messiah, they actually missed what they were always seeking after.

Simeon and Anna knew Jesus was the Messiah because they were filled with the Holy Spirit and they did not retain any worldly, preconceived expectations of God; as did the Pharisees, Sadducees and most of the Jewish population.  Instead, Simeon and Anna came to the temple each day with an open heart of worship to God; only wanting a deeper relationship with and understanding of God.  Anna went and told everyone at the Temple (including all of the Pharisees, Sadducees and teachers of the Law) that the Messiah was Jesus Christ; however, the Jewish leaders did not receive the good news because of their preconceived expectations of the Messiah.

Some things never change.  Just like the times of Jesus, we have our own worldly preconceived expectations of God.  We try to place God in a box (i.e. what God should look like, how God should act, when God should act, where God should act, etc.).  Do we have an open heart of worship to God like Simeon and Anna, only wanting a deeper relationship and understanding of Him, to actually worship God from the depth of our whole heart?! Just as it was in Jesus' time, most of us come to church with our own worldly preconceived expectations of God. We only look to have our own wants and desires met by God.

POINT OF ACTION:

We have to let go of all our worldly preconceived expectations about God and allow the Holy Spirit to direct us on the things of God.  We have to become more like Simeon and Anna—seeking after God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  We must come before God each day with an open heart of worship, desiring only a deeper relationship and understanding of God—that we may become the eyes, ears, hands, feet, and heart of God on earth in order to bring the good news of salvation to the world—including all of our enemies.  The amazing thing is this is what God wants for all of us.

PRAYER:

Dear Heavenly Father, mold us into the men and women who seek after you with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help us to let go of our preconceived expectations that come from our selfish desires. May we worship You with an open heart of sincere gratitude for all of the things You do for us each day.  Help us not expect anything in return from You except for a deeper relationship and understanding of You.  Enable us to carry out Your will on earth and to become useful in Your hands.  May we be Your light of salvation to everyone around us; even to our enemies all around the world. 

WHO AM I

I am Max Peeples. A man currently being refined by God so he can be better used by God for His will and purpose on earth.  A man who is married to a woman who seeks after God with all of her heart, soul, mind and strength.  My wife takes my breath away every time I see her. Here is a picture of my beautiful wife at the entrance of the guest quarters.