MORE THAN EXPECTED
Scripture: Psalm 40:5-8, Isaiah 49:1-7, John 1:29-42, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
More Than Expected
Christopher B. Harbin
Psalm 40:5-8; Isaiah 49:1-7; John 1:29-42; 1 Cor. 1:1-9
We like to get our money's worth. We go to a buffet and think we should to eat three times as much as we need. We look for sales to make our money stretch further, even when the price might already be descent. Commercials on TV have us anticipate the phrase, "But that's not all, order now and we will send you this second set absolutely free!" How much is it worth to get more than expected?
Andrew found more than he expected. He had been looking for Messiah's coming, just like any other Jew of his day. He was seeking a redeemer to set things aright in Israel. He wanted the Romans gone, just like everyone else did. He also wanted God to be worshipped and known more fully than per the status quo. He was anxious for Messiah's coming.
The hopes and dreams of living under God's rule through Messiah dangled before him. They urged him to find the one to come. Like a child awaiting Christmas, a high school senior anticipating a letter of college acceptance, a young woman hoping for a proposal, a parent looking for a child's return home, Andrew longed for the fulfillment of this greatest of promises. Messiah would usher in that glorious day of restoration, victory, and peace. It was the hope for Eden to be re-established in Israel--paradise at long last. They would feast at God's banquet of provision as Messiah came in triumph, glory, and might. He could taste the banquet aromas in anticipation of the announcement of his coming.
Then John began stirring the pot. He had one of the strangest things to say in proclaiming Jesus as Messiah. "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" What was that about? Messiah's coming was not about sin, it was about setting things right! It was John's ministry to make ready for Messiah by encouraging people to repent of their sin. Hadn't John been baptizing the people in repentance? This was p ...
Christopher B. Harbin
Psalm 40:5-8; Isaiah 49:1-7; John 1:29-42; 1 Cor. 1:1-9
We like to get our money's worth. We go to a buffet and think we should to eat three times as much as we need. We look for sales to make our money stretch further, even when the price might already be descent. Commercials on TV have us anticipate the phrase, "But that's not all, order now and we will send you this second set absolutely free!" How much is it worth to get more than expected?
Andrew found more than he expected. He had been looking for Messiah's coming, just like any other Jew of his day. He was seeking a redeemer to set things aright in Israel. He wanted the Romans gone, just like everyone else did. He also wanted God to be worshipped and known more fully than per the status quo. He was anxious for Messiah's coming.
The hopes and dreams of living under God's rule through Messiah dangled before him. They urged him to find the one to come. Like a child awaiting Christmas, a high school senior anticipating a letter of college acceptance, a young woman hoping for a proposal, a parent looking for a child's return home, Andrew longed for the fulfillment of this greatest of promises. Messiah would usher in that glorious day of restoration, victory, and peace. It was the hope for Eden to be re-established in Israel--paradise at long last. They would feast at God's banquet of provision as Messiah came in triumph, glory, and might. He could taste the banquet aromas in anticipation of the announcement of his coming.
Then John began stirring the pot. He had one of the strangest things to say in proclaiming Jesus as Messiah. "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" What was that about? Messiah's coming was not about sin, it was about setting things right! It was John's ministry to make ready for Messiah by encouraging people to repent of their sin. Hadn't John been baptizing the people in repentance? This was p ...
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