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Messianic Expectation.

How tragic to wait for something for ages and then miss it when it arrives. You sit by the phone all day waiting for a call. You pop out to the post box for five minutes and miss the call. Doh!

The Jews had Messianic expectation in Jesus day. They still have it today. Here is how the Jewish virtual library describes it:

<> Jewish tradition affirms at least five things about the Messiah. He will: be a descendant of King David, gain sovereignty over the land of Israel, gather the Jews there from the four corners of the earth, restore them to full observance of Torah law, and, as a grand finale, bring peace to the whole world. <>

They knew what to look for but when He came they rejected Him.

The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; (Psalm 118:22)

They said, “We waited and waited for Messiah. The one you sent to us we didn't like. Please send someone else.”

In a different context, Moses used these words: But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” (Exodus 4:13)

Moses wasn't too happy about God's choice of deliverer.

The Hebrew slaves weren't too happy about God's choice of deliverer.

Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor. (Exodus 6:9)

Many times the people of Israel rebelled against Moses who was God's chosen leader. If the ex-slaves had taken the time to listen to Moses, they would have heard him say, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. (Acts 3:22) When the prophet Jesus arrived, the people rebelled against Him and rejected Him.

There is nothing uniquely bad about the Jews of Moses time or the Jews of Jesus time. They are a microcosm of all humanity. It is clear that to the world that God has appointed a man to rule the nations. That man is Jesus.

Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2)

The people of this world reject God's appointed King. In so doing, they reject God as their king.

Appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have. (1 Sam 8:5)

Do you really want the type of king that rises to the top of the heap through cunning and deceit. Corruption and violence. That is the way of most earthly kings. Most kings are tyrants, just as most politicians are corrupt and self serving. You long for a king but do you really want another Stalin, Hitler or Nero?

“It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. “

(1 Sam 8:7)

The King anointed disappointed.

King Saul was a disaster for Israel.

If we can learn a lesson from Biblical history, it would be this:

We don't always embrace God's king of choice.

Right now we live in expectation and hope of the returning King.

But who will be happy to see Him when He arrives?

And who will mourn, saying, “Send someone else!”