Christmas Expectation - Actions

We are in the season of expectations. With expectations come anticipation and with anticipation comes decision. Most of us have an expectation on what we want happen. From there we anticipate all the scenarios on how others might act or what might happen and from there we make decisions or plans on how we’ll respond and act. The the decisions and plans we make are largely based on our world views.

Today’s passage we’re going to look at competing expectations and how those expectations led to different actions. Turn with me to Matthew 2 as we read most of this chapter.

Matthew does not give us as many details leading up to the birth, but we have this interesting story of what happened after His birth.

Matthew 2:1–3 NIV

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

Let’s stop here…we have 3 groups of people...We have King Herod, the Magi or wise men and all Jerusalem. All Jerusalem represents the Jewish people and specifically the priests and teachers of the law.

Each of them had their own reaction to this news of the Christ being born.

The Magi were looking for Him. They wanted to worship him. As we’ll read soon, they brought gifts. They had an expectation that the Jews would have a new King. They anticipated seeing a star that would announce His arrival. They planned to come and worship Him when that star appeared.

King Herod had an expectation that he would always be in power. History tells us that he was ruthless and evil in the wielding of his power. We’ll see some of that coming up. I am sure he anticipated someone might challenge him and his plans were to eliminate any challenger.

The Priests and teachers of the law had a good thing going. They were in a position of power over the Jewish people. A power that was delegated to them by Herod. Their voice meant something and they held control that might be challenged if indeed the Messiah was born.

Matthew 2:4–8 NIV

4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

The plot thickens. Herod does all that he can to figure out where this challenger is. He must at all costs retain his power. He finds out where and when this child was born. Then he sends the Magi out to look and wants to know when they find Him. He’s going to “worship” the child. Herod’s plans reflect his worldview and expectation that he will remain king.

The fact that the priests and teachers gave him the information he sought shows their desire to keep things the way they are. Their worldview and expectation was very short sighted. Their plans did not include following this new king that was born.

I think there are times where our expectation is just that normal will continue. Nothing much will change except the date on the calendar and the temperatures with it. We might even want normal and “just the way it is” so much that we will dig in and resist change at all costs. This is plan of Herod and the priests.

Let’s keep reading and see what the Magi were up to...

Matthew 2:9–12 NIV

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

These Magi found joy in Jesus. They came with what they had and presented it all to Jesus. Not just stuff, but their position as well. By bowing to Jesus and worshipping him, they place Jesus above themselves.

Perhaps they didn’t have as much to lose as Herod and the priests, but what they did have to lose, they gave freely to Jesus. In a way, they had already set their hearts on this course of action. It was planned and expected. They knew at some point this new King would be born and they were prepared for that moment. Their expectation was followed with right anticipation and right planning. When the time came, they were ready.

Let’s read the rest of the passage...

Matthew 2:13–18 NIV

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

What a sad way to go through life. To be willing to kill in order maintain one’s expectation. Herod was willing to kill infants and toddlers to keep what he had. We might look at Herod and say…I’m glad I’m not like him…careful. Jesus teaches us that hate is just like murder. If we are willing to plot someone’s downfall in order that we might get what we expect, we are really no different than Herod.

These decisions may seem like they happen in the moment, but they happen much earlier. Herod’s decision to kill those babies started when he resolved to do anything necessary to keep his power.

What are your expectations? What are you willing to do or not do for them? Where are those expectations coming from?…the Lord?…selfish ambition?

Can I share a couple of expectations I have for this church and the big C church in central Vermont?

I expect to see many come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

I expect to see many who have been hurt by the church find a place to come and heal.

I expect to see families reconciled together and worshipping Jesus.

I expect to see believers of all ages grow in their faith and trust in Jesus.

I expect revival. I expect awakening.

Just like the Magi who could do nothing but keep a watchful eye out, I don’t think any of these things will happen because of me. In fact they will likely happen in spite of me, but I will be watching for the signs and listening for the prompting of the Holy Spirit when He says go.