The book arrived as a gift from a dear friend and I will admit – it has been mighty tempting not to begin reading it. While I only quickly flipped through to get a feel for what would lay ahead, I haven’t begun to read the pages. But the title of the book has stirred my thoughts each time it catches my eye.
Unexpected Jesus.
Let the words sink in a bit.
Jesus was unexpected in his timing. The people had waited in silence for four hundred years when He finally burst into the world. The world had groaned in waiting, just as Mary groaned waiting to give birth. His arrival was untimely, completely unexpected, as Mary and Joseph had made the trek to comply with the census. Surely they did not expect to have their child arrive while making the trip. No arrangements had been made, nor could any be found.
Jesus was unexpected for He came as a baby. The people were waiting and hoping for a Messiah, the one who would save them from the political climate of their culture, of their world. They were looking for a strong and powerful leader to free them from the oppressive leaders of their time. They were hoping for someone to change their government and the policies which were unappealing and unjust.
It’s been a crazy and different year – this 2020. A year of unrest, political transition, a global pandemic, racial tensions, unemployment, losses, school routine shifts, and online shopping. Not much has remained unmarked and unchanged – but One.
It is into this world, our world as it exists at this time, that Jesus will come. What are you looking for and expecting?
“For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor,Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
(Isaiah 9:6, NLT)
Jesus is born, is given, to each of us. It is to us, and for us, that He came.
He comes not annually as the calendar dictates, but each and every day.
All we need to do is look for Him.
Oh this song …
Thank you for blessing my soul, Joanne.
Aw, Joanne … thank you for this timely reminder, that “Not much has remained unmarked and unchanged ”“ but One.” I needed to read these words today, my friend.