The Long Wait (What’re you waiting’ fer?)

1 Peter 1:10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven——things which angels desire to look into.

Three people who waited for the Messiah

1. Simeon - waiting for the consolation of Israel

2. Anna - Waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem (Among others)

Both waiting in Temple for Messiah to be revealed. Luke 2:21ff

3. Joseph of Arimethea

Waiting for the Kingdom of God

Romans 8:24,25 We do not wait for the unknown.

Prov 8:34 Blessed is the man who waits at His doorway

2 Thess 3:5 “Patience of Christ” Does this mean patience like that of Christ or patience for Christ’s return? I think both apply

Luke 2:43 Jesus waited behind in Jerusalem. Not just loitering or avoiding being with his folks, but purposefully pausing to take care of business (His Father’s business).

People were waiting, longing for things to be made right, to get better…sorted out. There was something on the horizon that made life worth living and enabled many to cope with the worst of circumstances. They did not know it was Jesus, but they knew God would be behind it. The person who trusts God also knows that he cannot “expect” God to do things the way he thinks they should be done.

Some of us focus on Jesus so much - can we forget that God is behind Him? The longer I live the more I am comfortable with just waiting for Jesus, because I really don’t know what is going to happen or how I am going to feel, exactly. But when He comes God will be behind Him and that is why it is so exciting and so hard to wait for - but so worth it!