December 3, 2017

The First Sunday of Advent

The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. Luke 3:15

The season of Advent begins today…that time of waiting to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Waiting is not a fun pastime but is necessary in various circumstances. For example, we wait for the big wedding day. We wait for the birth of a child or grandchild. We wait for the opportunity that will change a job into a career. We wait for our children to leave home, and we wait for retirement. Life is a series of various periods of waiting.

People had been waiting expectantly for the Messiah. Was this man preaching in the desert the one that they had been waiting for? John the Baptist was adamant, “But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie” (v. 16).

Scripture tells us time and time again to wait. Wait for God’s direction. Wait for God’s plan. Wait for the power of the Holy Spirit. Wait…wait…wait for God’s purpose to be revealed, for lives to be transformed, and for circumstances to change. Wait with hopeful confidence. The Christ is coming!

Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry (v. 23).