God Is Expectant
December 24, 2024 | Montgomery County, TX
by Pastor Jason J. Nelson
When we begin to unwrap Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth from Matthew 1:26-33, we can see that Mary’s not the only one expecting. God is expecting as well. Obviously, not in the same sense as Mary. She’s expecting to deliver. Mary is anticipating giving birth. In a different sense, though, God is expecting too.
God is expecting Mary to nurse, raise, protect, and mother the Son of God. God expects Joseph to do the right thing and protect Mary’s character and reputation. God expects the Angel of the Lord to deliver a clear, concise message to Joseph through a dream while conveying peace and confidence to him in the process. God expects Joseph, then, to embrace the Truth of this angelic message and the Truth growing within Mary. God is also expecting Joseph to follow directions and name this baby boy (God’s one and only Son), Jesus. God’s expecting people like Matthew to recognize that the birth of Jesus fulfills the divine prophecy of Isaiah 7:14, which means, God is expecting Matthew to explain in his Gospel how this Jesus is, “Immanuel, God with us!” And God is expecting this Jesus to “save his people from their sins.”
So, Mary’s not the only one expecting in this account. God is also expectant. And the more we explore the Bible and unwrap the divine accounts and messages within it, the more we will discover that God has always been expectant.
Throughout the Old Testament, God requires obedience. He expects his prophets, priests, kings, and people to do what he tells them to do. And it’s no different in the New Testament. God continues to give his people commands and still expects obedience from them. The only difference is, in the New Testament, the primary One giving commands and expecting obedience is Jesus—God wrapped in human flesh.
Jesus is expectant. He commands and demands obedience from all those who choose to follow him. Jesus expects his followers, those who love Him (as he says in John 14:15), to keep His commands…not because we have to earn His love. We obey because we want to show him how grateful we are for His love. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Today, make a concerted effort to walk in obedience to the Word. Find ways to live up to Jesus’ expectations when he says this in John 13:34, “A new command I give you. Love one another.” Like Jesus, give the gift of love today. It’s a perfect gift. And don’t just give the gift of love on days when it’s easy to love, like Christmas Day, find ways to love when people least expect it.
Pastor Nelson serves at Grace Woodlands Church and is the Church Liaison for Montgomery County Eagle Forum.
Start 2025 Off With Prayer!
We hold a Prayer Meeting, 5:30-6:00 pm, before each of our monthly meetings to lift up the country’s most urgent needs. We’d love for you to join us at our January 2nd meeting as we pray together for biblical leadership and revival in America. Visit our Prayer page for prayer guides to use throughout the month.
Sample Prayer Guides:
How Do We Humble Ourselves Before God?
How Do We Pray for Our Nation?
Montgomery County Eagle Forum wishes you and your family a Merry Christmas!