Waiting with purpose

 Advent; The arrival of a notable person, thing or event.

Has there ever been something you've waited for? Something huge? I remember being a little kid and it seemed like I was always waiting for something, in reality I don't like waiting, I don't like waiting to go on vacation, I don't like waiting in lines for a roller coaster, waiting for the next big thing. The reality of life is that it is full of waiting. We are always waiting for something, as a child, you're waiting on the next birthday or playdate, as a teen you're waiting to grow up, get your. license so you can drive; as an adult you're waiting on any number of things, your next paycheck, vacation day, dinner, the next big thing. As Christians we're also waiting, but our waiting is not of this world, we are waiting on the return of our King Jesus the Messiah who told us He would come again, side note, this post is not about the end of the world but the return of Jesus and waiting with purpose, how do we do this well.

In this case I am speaking of both a person and event, the arrival of Jesus of Nazerath the Christ comming Messiah who was prophecied to be the Savior of the sins of the world. Genesis 3:15 Speaks of the coming Savior who would crush the head of the snake that would bruise His heel.

A story like this can only create a wait, with a prophectic statement of this magnitude announcing coming Savior gives us more hope than we imagine. From death to life. Let's read on.

His birth wasn't just the arrival of a person, it was the arrival of a Savior, a major event in time. in fact Jesus' arrival was clatisimic. Denoting a change in the timeline of history. When He arrive the angels of heaven sang and blew their trumpts and told shephards to go see and worship this Messiah who came to save the world.

Luke1:4-7

4. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7. 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.

Here He is, He is here, yet what the Isralites were waiting for came as a little baby, born in a feeding trough in a stable to a poor carpenter and his new bride. No one expected this and this timing, although even on the surface it couldn't have come at a better time, crushing oppression from the Roman empire, that caused this Savior to be born in the city of King David. His birth to the Jews was redemption that would hopfully save them from their oppressors.

This wait was perfect over the time preceeding this birth were many prophectic annoucements that told of His coming, creating an anticipation that so many people were waiting for, knew of and studied. Jesus came did what He came to do and that was to be the Savior of the world, as a lamb lead to the slaughter, He bore our sins on the cross allowing direct access to the Father again without the need for sacrifice since He became that for us. John 3:16

The wait is always the hardest part, it's the anticipiaton that I always seem to strugge with the most, but you see Jesus has come once, and for us as Christians He said He would come again. So we don't just celebrate Christmas as looking back and the celebration of the anniversary of His birth but a waiting on His return. Matthew 24: 42-44, Acts 1:11 tells us how Jesus will return when He comes back.

Acts 1:4-5

4 While he was[a] with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”

We don't like waiting, and it seems like in life we're almost always waiting on something, when you are a child you are waiting on it seems like everything, parents to take care of you, get you dinner, take you where you need to go, and even the fun waiting, a birthday, Christmas, and other holidays. As a teen you are sill waiting, waiting to get your license, the next year that gets you one moment closer to growing up to be an adult. As an adult waiting on vacation, and life's next big thing. We are constantly waiting. As Christians we are waiting for one thing the return of our King, Jesus. When He went to heaven he told us He would be returning the same way He left, and He also told the disciples He would send the Helper, the Holy Spirit. That they were to go and wait in Jerusalem for Him to come. And boy did He ever do that.

During the season of Advent we celebrate the wating of Jesus' first arrival and we also get to celebrate the waiting for His return. Wait well my friends, He is coming, when? Only the Father knows. We are told to be ready and that's what I want to encourage you to do, hury up and wait.

~Nick