John’s voice rings throughout the nation with the announcement. The kingdom of Heaven is at hand…the promised messiah is announced. What kind of messiah? What did they expect?
They were just like us, they expected what they desired.
A great hope sustained many Jews, especially the poor. Each Sabbath in the synagogue they would listen to the words of the prophets, foretelling that the Jews scattered over the earth would return; that the holy land would become wonderfully fertile, and that the people of God would triumph over their enemies.
Then would come a kingdom of God on earth under a king anointed as were the kings of ancient Israel. Isaiah predicted that this anointed one would be of the line of David. Micah said he would come from Bethlehem. Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah all described his reign as a time of peace, justice, and joy.
The concept of the Messiah had no root or analogue in other ancient near eastern cultures, its source being the Old Testament scriptures. The Messiah was and was not human as we are human. His birth was mysterious, he was somehow connected with the original man; he was portrayed by the prophets as powerful, but always subordinated to God, being more in the nature of a gift and symbol of what God was doing. His reign would be long, but it would end and he would die.
Isaiah named him: “Wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace.”Micah described his origin and behavior: “Whose origin is from old, from ancient days…and he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.”
There is much more. The Messiah was expected to purge Jerusalem of the heathen and to destroy the Godless. He would establish a holy kingdom, but strangers were not allowed a part of that kingdom. The Jews would conquer and subjugate the heathen, who would come to Jerusalem to see her glory. His kingdom was for Jews only and he would destroy the hostile world power that held the chosen people.
And still more. The Messiah was not seen as the same as the Old Testament “Son of Man,” (a name that Jesus often took for himself.) a figure who was at the right hand of God at the end of all things, bringing judgment, justice, and an end to all unrighteousness. The Son of Man was associated with the end of the old order of being and the bringing in of an eternal new order.
But, back to my earlier statement: When the Jews of Jesus’ time thought of the coming Messiah their expectations held hands with their desires. Subjects of the Romans, who they hated with a uniform passion, they saw the Messiah as a mighty warrior who would raise up his people and who would, by his power, utterly destroy Rome. More, they expected that he would then raise the Jews to be the world power in Rome’s place. Their new status would result in riches, peace, and a removal of pagan influence as the Gentiles would finally be put in their place. They had absolutely no expectation of a Messiah who was also a suffering servant, or a light to the Gentiles.
So when John stood and shouted that the Kingdom of God was at hand, all of those expectations flooded the hearts of his listeners. Their hearts were inflamed and their passions ignited.
Among them, standing there, quiet, was Jesus…Messiah, Son of Man, Light of the world, Light to the Gentiles. A conflict of expectations against God’s intention is about to ensue!
Prayer: “Sovereign God, I have often been guilty of loving you and having a wonderful plan for your life. I have often followed my path, calling it yours. I have called upon you for your voice, but have loved my own counsel more. And look where it has gotten me!
Prayer: "Teach my heart, Great father, to not be proud, or my eyes to be haughty. Calm me and quiet me. Teach me the joy of obedience and the pleasure of faithfulness. You hold the earth and heavens in your hand, and history in your grasp. When all is reduced to essentials you are God, I am your child, and your will is good. I am satisfied. Amen.”