Sunday in Octave of Christmas 29.12.19 The True Messiah
The Jews expected a military Messiah (like another King
David), who would oust the Romans and make Israel a strong nation, militarily.
They thought their being occupied was their biggest problem,
but it was not. Their biggest problem was that they were sinners, and not right
with God.
We could say the same to today’s generation and to any
nation - What you need is God. You think you need economic and political
solutions, but you really need to repent first. Then you can organise your
economy and politics around that.
The same applies at the individual level. People see God as
a problem-solver. They call on Him in time of need, without seeing any overall
response they need to make to him.
God is happy to solve our problems, certainly, but He wants
a much more comprehensive relationship that that. He wants to dwell within us,
to share our lives. A relationship closer than marriage.
Many recoil from so much ‘religion’! They would prefer to
keep God at arm’s length, much like the plumber or the dentist – call only when
needed.
But He is needed even when there is no obvious problem. We
have planted in us a need to know, love and serve God. We might look elsewhere
for happiness but we will never find the depth of happiness that only God can
provide.
The Jews waited for the Messiah to come. Now we have been
waiting for Him to come again.
It will help if we know which Messiah we want. The Jews
largely got it wrong, and so do most other nations and generations.
The Messiah cannot come in the way He intends if people are
not ready to receive Him.
He can come physically, yes, but to come inside the hearts
and minds of people – that is a more difficult task.
It is hard to save people who do not want to be saved, or
who have a very different idea of what is necessary.
Simeon and Anna provided a necessary context of prayer and
faith. Such people, and such prayer give the Messiah a place to establish a
base. It is so in our time now.
Like Simeon and Anna we take our turn on the roster at the ‘Temple’,
bolstering up the faith of the human race, keeping the right channels open to
receive the Messiah in our time.
We understand that we are dealing with the Messiah in terms
of holiness, forgiveness, union with God – spiritual realities foremost.
Only the true Messiah can save us. He can make the world and
each person in it come to the state which God has intended from the first..
We need strong faith and a certain stamina, to stay in
prayer when so many others have abandoned the spiritual view.
Many seek the pleasures of this world only. Others have
given up in despair of any help from Heaven.
Like Simeon and Anna, we hold firm. We not only wait for the
Messiah but actively seek Him out. We implore Him to come into our midst and
set about healing all the distortions in our world.
When God can see in us a willingness to receive what He is
wanting to give – then our prayers will have more effect; then we will be
hastening the course of the Messiah as He prepares to come again.
We have received Him as a Baby; now we stay with Him through
all the other stages. Gradually what we have lost will be restored.
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