He's coming!

“He’s Coming!”

This shout of anticipation is the heart of Advent, the time of year when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The weeks leading up to Christmas Day are a special time of reflection on God’s gift to us: the child Jesus. Rejoicing in Jesus’ birth certainly brings glory to God, but sometimes we can forget that God didn’t just send a child into the world; He sent a mighty Rescuer!

The image of the Child in the manger should fill our hearts with praise because we know what that Child would grow up to accomplish — He would save His people from their sins. This story is not just for those of us who live after Jesus’ time, though. The people of God have always known what Jesus’ mission would be. How did they know about this divine rescue plan before Jesus actually came? Because God promised the whole plan to them, and every single part of it was designed to become true in Jesus.

No, God didn’t just promise His people that a miracle child would be born. He also promised that this Child would grow up to be the loving Shepherd of His people, the place-switching Sacrifice, the resurrected Lord, and the righteous King who reigns in glory forever. But there is yet another promise: this King is coming back for His people! As we celebrate the first coming of the Expected One during Advent, let’s also look forward in hopeful anticipation of His second coming. Let’s keep in mind the whole picture of who Jesus is, worshipping Him as the fulfillment of all of God’s promises to us, “For every one of God’s promises is ‘Yes’ in Him” (2 Cor. 1:20).

Excerpted from "The Expected One" by Scott James.

Scott James serves as an elder at The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, AL (USA).

Scott’s most recent book is a great read for those desiring to make the Christmas season a time of worship.