Anticipation

Turning to the disciples, He said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them." 

Luke 10:23-24

Each year I anticipate my first glass of eggnog.  So creamy, rich and smooth.  I go out and buy a quart of it the minute I find it has hit the shelves.  It matters little that I have never (to date) had a second glass from the quart of this holiday beverage, as it really too rich for me.  I throw it away every December 28th, knowing full well that I will be bursting with anticipation next November 15th when it hits the shelves again.  Certainly, it is a silly example of anticipation, yet how tremendous the anticipation of the event that we are celebrating.  To think of the generations of people that waited with eager longing, waiting for the Messiah to come.  Spend time this Christmas season in thankful adoration of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Parallels

 Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, the LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land. Joshua 1:13

Joshua was given a monumental task.  The taking of the Holy Land.  At the outset of this undertaking God reminds Joshua that He had already given them the land, all that was left to do is for the children of Israel to take it and possess it, trusting in God through the process.  There is an interesting parallel in the life of the believer today.  It is most interesting that Jesus name, in Hebrew, is also Joshua (Yeshua).  God has seated us in Christ (Colossians 3:1-4), He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) and given us everything that we need for life and godliness in Jesus (2 Peter 1:3).  What is left for us to do?  Much like Joshua who had only to receive the land which the Lord had given them, we are to lay hold of the life of Christ that has been given to us, trusting in Him every step of the way.

Big Claims

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1

This always seemed like a large claim to make.  Is Paul claiming to be the perfect follower of Christ?  Clearly not.  He affirms his humility constantly throughout his writing (Philippians 3:12; Romans 7; 1 Timothy 1:15).  So what does he mean?  Paul obviously continued to struggle with his flesh, with sickness, with physical want, with different people.  Yet his constant goal and affirmation was to seek after "walking in the Spirit."  Undoubtedly he failed at times, but he would not despair, rather continuing to look to Christ and rely on His grace.  This is the example that we need.  We need this same example in each other.  

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14

Boasting is ugly.  Many people spend their entire lives accruing accomplishments  like a resume that no one will ever read.  As followers of Jesus we are to be so enamored with Him and His accomplishments that we are freed from our own desire to impress others with our accomplishments.  When we understand that we have died to the world, we are free to understand that we are no longer obligated to attempt to impress the world.  The mark of our value is found in the fact that Jesus Christ loved us, and gave Himself up for us.  This frees us to be simple, to respond in love, and to content ourselves with His greatness.  That is freedom indeed!