Throughout scripture, which means for thousands of years, we have been reminded of the immensity and power of God. He is creator, redeemer, savior, defender. He is incomparable. He is unparalleled. He is unsurpassable. He is all mighty.
In the words given to Moses, ‘The Lord your God is God of Gods and Lord of Lords, the great, mighty and awesome God’ (Deut. 10:17). Or as recounted by Isaiah when God said, ‘… know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me (43:10). And again ‘I am the first and I am the last. Besides me there is no god (44:6).’ And as a king had to admit to
Daniel, ‘Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries….’ (Daniel 2:47).
With reminders like these, it’s no wonder that so many Jews longed for the time when their great King, the Savior, would finally and forever bring justice to God’s ill-treated, suffering people. This Savior, long promised and sent by God would ‘come with power’ and ‘rule by a strong arm,’ and would right all wrongs.
This Savior- upheld by God, who would move with immeasurable might specifically to establish glorious justice for His people- has the power to overcome all obstacles in the way and attain His purpose, for He is the one ‘upon whom’ God put His Spirit. Justice will be done.
‘Can’t wait!’ many must have said. But we are also reminded that this Savior would not cry out, would not shout, would not even make His voice heard in the street. He would not so much as break ‘a bruised reed’ nor quench a weakened, ‘smoldering wick’. No harm will come to anyone from Him. At this point it would be perfectly understandable for many Jews to be confused. “Not for nothing, Lord, but You do realize we’ve spent a lot of time being beat up, killed even, robbed, driven out of our homes and enslaved by a lot of people.” ‘Yes’
‘U-huh… so no smiting, no desolation, no burning to ashes, not even the best tongue lashing ever? Justice-wise, how is this supposed to work?’ ‘By conversion of hearts, and you will help.’ ‘I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from
confinement and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness (Is: 42: 6 & 7).
Titus claimed that we have been offered the grace that ‘trains us to reject godless ways and worldly
desires and to live temperately, justly and devoutly’ (2:11) as Jesus himself did. We need only to accept that grace.
Luke tells us that after Jesus was baptized, he was praying. It seems all was quiet. All was well. Then the voice of God the all-powerful was heard to gently say, ‘You are my beloved son with you I am well
pleased’. The savior has come. Glory to God on high.