EXPECTANCY

While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. Luke 19:11

Mary and Joseph waited with expectancy for their special baby to be born. The angel had told them that this was the Messiah. Can you imagine their excitement as they waited to see the face of the Savior of the world? One day, on their long journey to Bethlehem, the birthing pains started, and in a cow stall, Jesus was born.

Blind Bartimaeus sat by the side of the road. I wonder if he had been waiting with expectancy for Jesus to pass his way?  When the time came, he did not hesitate. He cried out fervently for the Lord's help, and help did come. For the first time, Bartimaeus could see through the healing hands of Jesus.

When Jesus was concluding His earthly ministry, He arrived outside of Jerusalem. The people had been waiting with expectancy for the Messiah to set up His powerful royal kingdom of God. Can you imagine the sorrow and anger of the people when Jesus submitted to the humiliation of the whip, the crown of thorns, and the cross? They felt as if this miracle worker turned out to be a fraud, simply because He had not fulfilled their idea of a priestly monarchical king. What began as palm branches and hosannas, turned into shouts of, "Crucify Him!"

Why do we still wait with expectancy for God's Kingdom to come? The Bible speaks of a new heaven and earth when God will sit on His throne, but we can't miss the kingdom that has already arrived. Laid in place with the death of Jesus was the foundational cornerstone of God's kingdom. The river that flows is the blood of Christ bringing life. The streets of gold are His paths of righteousness. God already sits on His throne in our hearts. He has already built the temple, which is our bodies. He has already created a new world of grace inside of us. When we come to realize this, it will change how we treat God, others, our bodies, animals, and the world of nature. Grasp the splendor of "I AM" oneness of God's domain filling all space and time. It is astoundingly marvelous.

Thank you, Father God, for establishing your kingdom on this earth. Through Christ, Jesus, I pray. Amen.