Luke 3:15-17
15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
“… 15 As the people were filled with expectation …”
For what are you waiting? Has the New Year brought upon you sudden success or dismal failure? Where do you go from here? As the holiday season passes and the winter doldrums drag on, what is your expectation? Do you see light ahead or only darkness? For what you are you waiting?
The people of first century Palestine were waiting for an anointed one, a Messiah. Roman occupation of the land was intolerable. Herod’s heavy hand and loathsome taxes were a financial drain on an already impoverished society. The legalism of the Jewish religious leaders was so burdensome that the average person on the street had no hope of enjoying and celebrating life. The general populus was looking for something better. They were filled with expectation that God was going to do something amazing.
Sometimes, our lives can seem intolerable. Financial issues still plague families. Religion leaders seem to offer more demands and less hope. In the face of such difficulties, we can either hang our heads, wring our hands, and dwell in despair. Or, we can recognize that the One for whom we wait has come. Our expectation of an Anointed One has been fulfilled. The Lord is with us, and with Him comes hope, light, and peace.
Prayer: Lord, it is for You that we have waited. Come, Lord Jesus, fill us with Your hope, Your light, and Your peace. Amen.