Tim Cain, pastor at Kaleo Church in El Cajon, California, reminds us how easy it can be to fall down the slippery slope of envying those living "the good life" in the world around us. The psalmist in Psalm 73 starts off in that direction, wondering where is God when the wicked prosper and have lives of ease, while His people suffer. It's not until he enters God's sanctuary that he is reminded that the truly good life is wherever God is...and because of the gift of Jesus, God's presences is here with us today. Even in the midst of our suffering and sorrows we can truly life the good life as we wait expectantly for the glory that is to come.
At the close of the Old Testament, God leaves His people in suspense for 400 years before the arrival of John the Baptist and Jesus. During this period, significant events unfolded, such as the Maccabean Revolt led by Judas Maccabaeus against the Seleucids. And when the curtain opens on the New Testament, we again find Judea under occupation...this time by the Romans. And the Jews are desperate for a Judas Maccabaeus type of Messiah to come along and give the Romans the boot. And when Jesus entered Jerusalem they thought the time had finally come...but they were quickly disappointed by a Messiah who encouraged them, instead, to love and serve their enemies. He had come for a far greater purpose: to conquer a far bigger regime than the Romans. Just like the Jews, we often have our own expectations and desires for what Jesus "should" be...and it mostly boils down to a Santa Claus messiah who will right our personal frustrations and cater to our needs. But He has far greater plans for you and I! He is greater than Judas Maccabaeus...better than Adam, Elija, David, and all others before Him...and He is better than you and I. He stands righteous, in our place, before the Father above, presenting us washed in His blood and acceptable in His sight!
