Messiah in the Silence

Intro

The page between the Testaments

~400 years between the Prophet Malachi & the birth of Christ

“Intertestamental Period” — “Second Temple Judaism”

History

Medo-Persians ruled during the return to the Promised Land

-Positive — supported the rebuilding of the Temple

Macedonian Greeks took over — Alexander the Great

Followed by the Ptolemaic, then Seleucid dynasties (All Greeks)

Under the Greeks, the was a ruler: Antiochis Epiphanes — tried to stamp out every distinctive of the Jewish faith

Outlawed Sacrifices & Circumcision

Cancelled Sabbath & Feast Days

Destroyed copies of Scriptures

Forced Jews to eat Pork

This led to the “Maccabean Revolution” under the leadership of the Priest Mattathias. They took back the Holy Land from the Greeks and had about 100 years of independance.

(This is Maccabean Revolution is where Hanukkah comes from — a miracle, when oil that was enough to only fuel the Temple Menorah for one day, burned for 8 days straight. So Hanukkah is an 8 day celebration for the 8 days the Menorah burned, this yearly reminder and celebration of this revolution.)

After about 100 years, though, the Romans enterred the picture, and, as we know, it was this empire that ruled during the time of Jesus’ life on earth.

During this time, they are simply waiting…waiting for their Messiah…waiting for the promises of God to be fulfilled.

For 400 years…and it’s silent. No Prophets. Not messengers sent by God..

This morning, we’re going to be asking the question: Where is the Messiah in the silence? In the waiting?

When our prayers seem to be hitting the ceiling, when nothing seems to change for the better. When it seems, at times, like things are only getting worse...and worse...and worse…

Where is Jesus in the silence?

Well, I can’t preach from a blank page…so where do we look?

Waiting in Faith

Hebrews 11:32-40

Waited in faith.

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Waiting and trusting that even when it’s silent…even when it seems like nothing is happening…Our God has not changed. His promises are still true.

2 Passages to Help us understand this kind of waiting:

Remember: Israel had the prophets. They had the Scriptures. Something really cool that happend after the Maccabean Revolution and into Roman rule was the development of the “Synagogues”. This local gathering places of the people of God, where they would be taught by Priests…kind of a precursor to the local church…

So they would show up to these synagogues to be taught the Scriptures, to be taught the promises of God regarding this coming Messiah…

So what passages would they have turned to? What passages would they have held onto?

Perhaps…

Isaiah 40:27-31

Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.

Psalm 13 - Psalm of Lament

Even when it all seems to be falling apart…when our only cry is “how long?” How much more can I take?

We choose to trust…

Psalm 13:5–6 “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.”

Our Waiting

What are you waiting for?

Big Picture:

The return of Christ. His second coming. As the angel said to the disciples staring up into the sky after Jesus ascended to heaven:

Acts 1:11 “and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.””

Day to Day:

What are you waiting for? What have you waited for…but never seen happen?

Conclusion

I have to admit…I’m not great at waiting…I’m not even mediocrely well at waiting…

Hebrews 12:1–2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”