Isaiah 61:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28
Introduction
"Great Expectations" according to Charles Dickens does not mean great things were expected of young Pip, the center of the story. "Expectations" meant that you had the "prospect of an inheritance" coming to you. Therefore, if a big inheritance was expected to reach you, then we can say that you have "great expectations."
Beloved in Christ, today we reflect on the theme, “Great Expectations,” a call to live in hope, anticipation, and readiness for the fulfillment of God’s promises. If anyone has great expectations in life, then it is we Christians. 1 Peter 1:4,5 reminds us that, "It is by His [God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ] that we have been born again... Now we live in great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance - an inheritance that is kept in Heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see."
In a world often marked by uncertainty and despair, the Advent season reminds us of the certainty we have in Christ. Through the Scriptures, we are invited to align our hearts with God’s redemptive plan and to live as beacons of His light in a waiting world with "great expectations."
Great Expectations of Restoration
The prophet Isaiah paints a picture of profound hope and transformation. He declares the mission of the Anointed One—to bring good news to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and release from darkness the prisoner. Jesus Christ directed the whole exposition of this prophecy to Himself after this in the synagogue, "He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”" (Luke 4:21). The fulfillment of God’s promise to restore humanity and creation is - our great expectations is in Jesus Christ's coming.
As we meditate on this passage, we are reminded that God’s plan is not merely to repair what is broken but to bring about a new creation. Isaiah speaks of a great exchange: ashes for beauty, mourning for joy, and despair for praise. This is the great expectation we hold as followers of Christ—a future where God’s justice, peace, and righteousness reign supreme.
God has placed expectations of His reward to His people, "In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them." (Isaiah 61:8). Our greatest inheritance as people of God is the everlasting covenant - "that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). This our great expectation in His second coming and Isaiah 61:10-11 shall our glorious song.
Living in Great Expectations
The Thessalonians' grief over the deaths of some of their members and their confusion about the eternal safety of those who died before Jesus' return needed to be addressed. So, Paul's letter to the Thessalonians was to bring into perspective the great expectations, comfort and guide them as they continue to face challenges in their lives.
The Apostle Paul calls us to a life of joy, prayer, and gratitude as we await the coming of our Lord. He reminds us that God is faithful and will sanctify us completely, preparing us for the fulfillment of His promises. Living with great expectations requires active participation. It is not a passive waiting but an intentional posture of readiness.
"Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt."
Paul’s exhortation to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances teaches us to cultivate an attitude of trust and dependence on God. As we anticipate God’s promises, we are called to live lives that reflect His holiness and love.
Living with great expectations can be weighty, draining, and sometimes breaking. So there is the need for this prayer, "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
Bearing the Witness with Great Expectations
John the Baptist came to bear witness concerning Jesus Christ. Nothing more fully shows the darkness of the human mind, than the appearance of the Light. There is always resistance to the message of Christ, hence the need for witnesses like yourself to call attention to it the Light - the Saviour of the world. (John 1:6-7).
John the Baptist’s ministry was centered on preparing the way for Jesus, the Light of the world. He understood his role as a witness, pointing others to Christ. When the Jewish leaders sought to point John as the Messiah, Elijah, or the Prophet, John humbly acknowledged that he was not the Messiah but the one sent to prepare the way - the witness with great expectations.
In the same way, we are called to be witnesses to the Light. Our lives should testify to the hope and salvation found in Jesus. Like John, we must recognize that our purpose is to direct people to Christ, the source of true joy and eternal life, and not to ourselves. As we wait for His return, our words and actions should proclaim the good news of His Kingdom.
We need to hold fast to great expectations, for the promises of God are sure. No matter the challenges we face, we can trust in His faithfulness and look forward to the fulfillment of His plans.
Our life must be in readiness for great expectations no matter the circumstances we may find ourselves. Our imperishable inheritance should be in view. Let's live our lives marked by joy, prayer, and gratitude. By walking in obedience and holiness, we prepare ourselves for the return of Christ.
As witnesses of Christ Jesus, we must be bold to direct the people to Christ, "He [John] did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”" (John 1:20). In a world yearning for hope, we are called to point others to Jesus Christ. Through our testimony, we can share the light and love of Christ with those around us.
Conclusion
As we reflect on the theme of Great Expectations, let us remember that our hope is firmly anchored in God’s promises. Isaiah’s vision of restoration, Paul’s call to faithful living, and John’s example of bearing witness all point us to the glorious future God has prepared for His people. Let us embrace this season with hearts full of great expectations, ready to celebrate the birth of our Saviour and eagerly awaiting His return. Amen.
