Matthew 11:2-11.                                            Advent a time of expectation                     11/12/16

² When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. ⁶ Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

⁷ As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ⁸ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹ Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

¹¹ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Ah, what a sight! To stand up here and look at all of you sitting there in the pews. All sitting back with an air of expectation. Although I am not sure what the expectations are: perhaps it is a chance for a rest and to let your mind wander; or, how many mistakes will the pastor make today; or how many flies can we count on the ceiling. Others of course, and most of you I hope, are listening to hear what God has to say. Whatever, you all have come with some expectation or other.

At the same time, you are all, I imagine, looking forward to Christmas with certain hopes and expectations. For the children it could well be the presents under the tree. For others it may be a break from work and its pressures. For others again it may be the family get together and the good feed. We pray that for many it may perhaps be the expectation of some peace, hope and joy as they reflect on Christ and his coming to be with us and what that really means for us.

Here this morning we are reminded that Advent is a time of many expectations. As Christians it surely has a great deal to do with the Lord Jesus Christ and his coming into our world to be with us. Firstly, as a baby in Bethlehem and then all the way through to his death on the cross and his resurrection. But also it is a time to reflect on his coming to be with today. Then also to his final coming at the end of time. From each of these events, I am sure, that we have certain expectations.

John Baptist in this reading was looking to Jesus with certain expectations. He was looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, or Saviour, that was promised by God long ago. Then when this Jesus came to him at the Jordan River he knew that there was something special about this man. But, was he this Promised Messiah. As time went on he heard all these reports about how this Jesus was doing some pretty       marvellous things and that people were flocking to him.

All this prompts him to send the question to Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” To which he received the reply; what do you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.          

Here remember that it was this Jesus doing all of this. Wherever he goes, these things are happening, Fantastic things are happening. Things that only God himself can do.

So yes, here is the expected Messiah: the one promised that would come doing away with sickness, pain, poverty and death. In connection to him true happiness is there for those who do not fall away. Here then, is the one that was to usher in God's rule and be the King of this kingdom of God and of heaven. This is what John the Baptist was looking forward to with great hope and expectation. Now here he was - has come - doing everything that was expected of him.

As he walked this earth he gave glimpses of God's almighty power: showing that he can heal sick, give life to the dead; and who has good news for the poor. Along with that he showed us where to find real happiness, peace and hope. As he walked this earth he showed that he definitely was from God and that he has come be with us to help us.

Then to show us the extent of his love and help, and the real purpose for his coming, he goes to the cross and dies in our place. He takes the punishment for our sin on himself so that we can now have forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. He then rises from the dead three days later just as the Scriptures said he would, so that we can know for sure that here God himself has worked all these things for us so that we can be a part God's family forever. All so that inner peace and joy can be ours in abundance.

So now our expectations of Jesus Christ and his coming all those years ago are grounded in a reality that is sure and certain. We can look back there and know for sure that God has truly come and done what was necessary for our salvation and eternal life. As we look to his life, death and resurrection we can have confidence to live today and to face his coming again at the end of time.

With that confidence in the fact the God has come in Christ Jesus, enables us to have clear expectations now as we live out life today. Even though life may be rough and tough for us, we can have a sure confidence that God himself is with us in the midst of it. Jesus Christ himself is present with us every moment of every day. This is what he has promised us, so we can be sure that this is true.

To help us to remember this he has given us Holy Communion, where he gives us his very body and blood so that we can be sure that he forgives us, and so also lives in us as we go about our daily lives. With him living in and with us we know that; yes, we too then will share in his suffering, but he will be with us to see us through. Because he is with us he will use us and our suffering for good.

With him with us we too can now have the confidence to listen to him and what he tells us through his Word, the Bible. Because the Scriptures that were written hundreds and hundreds of years before, told us of his coming and his death and resurrection, we can now be sure of what he says to us today through his Word, the Bible. There we know that we have encouragement and directions for living that are right, good and helpful for us as we live out our lives in the midst of a sinful world. So with that we can get on with life with confidence and certainty.

Through his presence with us today, we can then face the future with the expectation that there too he will see us through to the end, and then take us to be with himself in eternity. When he comes again to usher in the new kingdom we can face that day with confidence. For as Judge who has died and rose again for us, and who lives with us now, he also enables us to trust in him and his sure promises. So we can be confident that he will see us through and so take us to be with himself in heaven.

So now we are able to have expectations that are sure and certain. As we look to Jesus Christ who has come, is come now and who will come again, we can be sure that all will work out for good. In connection with him we can reliably expect that everything will work out as he has promised.

Unfortunately, too often however, we look with expectation elsewhere. We look in the wrong direction and then wonder why things are not so good. We look to humanity and our technological achievements, for our salvation. We look to money and status to get us where we want to go. We look to our achievements to give us the elixir of life, so that one day we might have eternal youth. We look for happiness and peace within ourselves and what we think should be.

But in all of this we are left sadly disappointed: looking in hope, but in the end finding only despair. And even worse still, beyond death finding only Hell.

We need to remember that it is in Christ alone that we are to put our hope and trust in. For it is in him alone that we will find all these things that we really need. So let us look with eager expectation to the time when our Lord finally does away with all sickness, poverty and death for all time. Looking forward to when he welcomes us into his heavenly home, where we will enjoy his company without fear or want for anything. Ushered in by Christ himself; allowing all who trust in what he done for us through his life, death and resurrection to join him for all eternity.

So this Advent season again, may our expectations find a sure and certain hope that will not         disappoint us or let us down. As we look to Christ and his presence with us we can have the same certain assurance that Christ is for real and his heavenly kingdom is ours, just as John the Baptist had in our reading.

May these days and weeks ahead again, reassure us of the peace, hope and joy that is beyond understanding. May that assurance then sustain us through thick and thin. Yes, these expectations in Christ are guaranteed. So may we now look forward and go forward with great confidence and a sure hope. And may our Lord bless you and grant you the joy that lies in these expectations.

To him again then be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish