Living in Expectation
Anticipation: The seven-year-old counts the sleeps until Christmas—and hopefully that great day will come with a new bike; the teenager just frets and fumes while awaiting an “L”-plate and the ability to drive —while mum and dad worry about insurance premiums and safety; the young couple plans for and awaits a wedding day, in a way that nothing else seems to be important.
Each illustration has parallels to living in anticipation of the predicted return of Jesus Christ. The youngster wanting a new bike tries to behave as his parents want him to. He is helpful around the home. And on Christmas Eve he’s even willing to go to bed early! The teen is preparing for a licence by repeatedly studying the rules, sometimes reminding parental drivers that they err! The couple awaiting their wedding day are ordering dresses and suits, making arrangements for a reception and planning a honeymoon. While there is tremendous anticipation, there is also an addressing of the forthcoming event and needs in preparation.
What does it mean to be living and waiting for the return of Jesus Christ? About 2000 years ago, a whole nation was expecting a Messiah, but only a handful were anticipating the event. Luke mentions Simeon, Anna and some shepherds, while Matthew adds the Magi.
If one believes that the fulfilment of the promise of Jesus’ return is imminent (and it is referred to hundreds of times in the New Testament), does that mean that our minds will become so obsessed with the heavenly that we will fail to address more earthly realities? Or does it mean that we may think of it occasionally when a preacher mentions it in church? Or is it possible that there is a reasonable middle option?
The same Scriptures that clearly proclaim the promise of Jesus’ return also state that we should be “looking for Him.” The Message Bible says, “And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). Paul states that this new life begins right now, “whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, appears” (Titus 2:13). And the apostle Peter says that we should “daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival.” He asks, “Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life?” (2 Peter 3:11).
Here may be some clues as to how a person thinks and acts in anticipation of such a great event. It’s not just church once a week or making a contribution to an offering plate. No the anticipation is a daily practice. When experiencing a joyful life with Jesus, the key player in our lives, waiting for His return is just another step in the Christian’s walk.
The story of explorer Shackleton’s amazing ocean voyage and trek to find help and rescue his team illustrates this. In that tempestuous Southern Ocean, he made his way from Elephant Island near Antarctica to an outpost on tiny South Georgia Island. With his crew of five, he braved tempestuous and icy waters in a small boat, the James Caird, for 17 days. When finally they made land on the western side of the South Georgia, they were confronted with a gruelling 36-hour climb over mountains and glaciers, all unknowns to them, to reach the settlement.
Once he’d made it, Shackleton tried three times to reach Elephant Island, but his way was barred by ice. Finally, in a fourth attempt from Chile and after an absence of 128 days, he again reached Elephant Island. His marooned crew had been briefed that they must be ready for immediate departure upon his return, before ice formed. They were packed and ready—as they had been every day, despite not knowing if Shackleton had made it nor if he would ever return—and quickly departed to safety.
The story of Shackleton and his men ranks among the most amazing stories of exploration and endurance. The rescue of his crew from their icy prison on Elephant Island depended not only on Shackleton and his gallant efforts, but upon their being in a constant state of readiness, even after 128 days when they might have assumed all hope was gone. Jesus has been “away” for far longer, yet His words to His followers were, “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44).
Today the committed follower of Jesus Christ will always keep the return of the Lord uppermost in his plans. It bears thinking about it. It means keeping the thought of this soon-coming alive by the reading of His messages to us (in the Bible) each day. It means living in expectation, yet it also means going about our daily lives. Jesus, in His parable of the talents, told those awaiting His return to “put [their] money to work until I come back” (Luke 19:13).
I’ve observed what I believe to be a good balance between living in anticipation of His coming and caring for everyday responsibilities in a young family I know. Each day they read some of Jesus’ promises; each week they observe a special day—on the Sabbath—to be close to their Lord. Then, each year, they enhance their expectation by attending a convention that heightens their spiritual awareness of the great hope we all have. Meantime, they earn a living like everyone else and enjoy the good and abundant life that surrounds them.
That balance is the “self-controlled, upright and godly lives in [the] present age, while [awaiting] the blessed hope—the . . . appearing of . . . Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12, 13).
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This is an extract from August 2004
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