A gardener for a large estate in northern Italy was conducting a visitor through the castle and the beautiful, well-groomed grounds. As the visitor had lunch with the gardener and his wife, he commended them for the beautiful way they were keeping the gardens. He asked, “By the way, when was the last time the owner was here?
“About ten years ago.” The gardener replied.
The visitor asked, “Then why do you keep the gardens in such an immaculate, lovely manner?”
The gardener replied, “Because I’m expecting him to return.”
“Is he coming next week?”
The gardener replied, “I don’t know when he is coming, but I am expecting him today.”—Source Unknown
Luke 2 tells of a man named Simeon whom God had promised would see the Christ before his own death. What a promise! Imagine the expectation and anticipation? Will today be the day?!! Our expectations impact our view. It is vital we choose to live life expecting Jesus Christ’s return today!
The Servants
Luke 1:5 says, “in the days of Herod.” We are given much background with this small phrase. It has been 400 years since Malachi and any revelation from God has been heard. The Jews are under Roman control. Herod was the King of Judea, and he was a tyrant. Herod was placed in this position by the Roman senate in 40 B.C. This would be a time with the likes of men like Marc Anthony and Octavius. In fact, it is Mark Anthony that first calls Herod the King of the Jews. Herod had 9 wives and ended up executing one of them (this gives us an understanding of his demeanor). Herod also built Masada. He took 46 years to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem. He had a huge palace in Caesarea. There is a reason he would be interested in taxes — he was busy expanding his kingdom!
Here are two reassuring truths in times of opposition:
No matter who is on the throne, God is still in charge!
Even though times were hard, God still had faithful followers!
Let’s look at three 3 groups of faithful followers in the hard times surrounding the birth of Jesus:
Zacharias & Elizabeth (1:5-6)
Zacharias and Elizabeth were a godly married couple in their older years, but they had no child of their own. No child in that time and culture would be a mark of sorts on them. In that time and culture, a child would be the sign of God’s blessing. In that time and culture, it was also the custom for the children to care for the parents in their older years. We must also recall that this couple lived under Roman rule. So, their Jewish culture would question their lack of children, their older years with none to care for them would question their security, and the Roman rule would question their freedom.
Focus often dictates choices. Life was hard for Zacharias and Elizabeth, yet their focus was purposely sharpened on God. They are described in scripture as righteous and obedient to God. The promise of a long-desired child would be fulfilled! We often find ourselves in hard life circumstances as well. Where our gaze is sharply focused will determine our choices!
Shepherds (2:15-20)
At the time, shepherds would be the low men on the social status ladder. The announcement of the birth of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, is made to the shepherds tending to their flocks in the night. An angel appears to the shepherds, and he trumpets these words, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Lk. 2:11) The Bible goes on to reveal that a large number of angels suddenly appear and say, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” What a message! Such prophecies had been made centuries ago and now God chooses these shepherds to be the first to hear the prophecy is fulfilled!
The announcement is not made in a royal throne room or among the most powerful in society. This announcement is given to the common man. When it comes to relationship with God, all of mankind is on level ground! Money, power, and influence does not give us an advantage in relationship with Jesus. We are all in desperate need of His saving grace! We all need His shed blood to cover our OWN sin! Angels came to the shepherds, and the shepherds came to Mary, Joseph, and this new baby that was lying in a manger. What an incredible night this must have been! The age-old promise of the Messiah was fulfilled! Clinging to the promises of Old Testament inspired prophets (the very words of God) revealed genuine relationship with God.
Genuine relationship reaps genuine change! After that night of angels in the sky, the shepherds were moved to praise and worship God (2:20). When you and I come into His presence in modern day (through Bible reading, prayer, and singing), we cannot help but be changed as well…changed to a greater likeness of Him! The question is, is there a shallowness or superficial reality to my day-to-day relationship with Jesus – or is there a powerful genuine certainty to my relationship with Jesus?
Simeon (2:25-26, 21-32)
Simeon had been promised to not see death until he saw the Messiah. Think about it for a moment. Simeon had nothing to hold on to but the promise of God…and the last mention of the Savior being born of a virgin was over 400 years ago…and now Simeon holds the Messiah in his own hands!
Zacharias and Elizabeth, the shepherds, and Simeon all lived in hard times with hard circumstances of life; however, they all also clung to the promise of God and rejoiced in the promise of God!
I once read the story of a young woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the question on the application that asked, “Are you a leader?” Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, “No,” and returned the application, expecting the worst. To her surprise, she received this letter from the college: “Dear Applicant: A study of the application forms reveals that this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower.”
There are times for all of us to lead in various roles and ways in our lives, but sometimes we become so focused on other things (like leadership) that we forget our first responsibility is to be followers of Jesus Christ. The first command that He gave to His disciples was to follow Him, and the same is true for us. There is no way to be a successful, victorious Christian without first walking in the footsteps of Jesus (and the steps of Jesus included laughter, crying, miracles, betrayal, acceptance, and opposition). (Source: The Complete Guide to Marriage Mentoring, Les and Leslie Parrott)
Philippians 3:10, “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death.” Comfort and blessings are as much a part of living for Jesus as are the “fellowship of His sufferings.” We cannot live on the mountain tops all year long. Our greatest growth takes place in the valley…that’s where the fertile soil resides!
The Salvation (2:28-33)
It is the bonus check at Christmas time or a week or two of vacation that we often sharpen our focus for as they approach. It is getting that diploma in our hand or simply a restful weekend that awakens our sense of anticipation and expectation! Now consider our anticipation and expectation when it comes to the promises of God. We have not been promised to physically see the Christ before we die; however, we see Jesus in all He has promised us every day! Rehearse, cling to, and rejoice in God’s promises!
7 More Promises of God for Every Person:
We are promised the power needed to share the gospel. (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)
We are promised to find our lives when we lose our lives for Christ. (Mark 8:34-37)
We are promised that when hear Jesus’ words and act on them we are building on a foundation that will never be destroyed! (Matt. 7:24-27)
We are promised God seeks the wandering child and rejoices when we return to Him. (Luke 15)
We are promised answers to prayer when we persevere. (Luke 11:5-10)
We are promised salvation from condemnation when accepting God’s gift (John 5:24)
We are promised the power to bear lasting fruit that glorifies God when we abide in Him (John 15:1-8)