To a certain degree, all human relationships struggle with unmet expectations. It happens in marriages, families, friendships, between coworkers and among neighbors – and sometimes multiple times a day!
Human beings will disappoint one another by failing to meet expectations. No wonder the psalmist says in Psalm 146:3–4, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.”
This year during our Wednesday Advent services, we will take a look at three different sons who did not meet their father’s expectations. In the first week, we will be introduced to Cain, the son of Adam. No doubt Adam had higher hopes for Cain than for him to be known as the first murderer in history. But his murder of his brother reveals the murder lurking in all of our hearts.
In the second week, we will be introduced to Ishmael, the son of Abraham. Though it was not his fault, Ishmael was a disappointment to Abraham because he was not the child of the promise. Abraham’s efforts to take things into his own hands highlight our own tendency to do the same in our relationship with God. In the third week, we will be introduced to Absalom, the son of David. This rebellious son broke David’s heart and exposes the rebellion we display against our heavenly Father.
Yet each week, we will also be pointed to a different Son. This Son is the true Son of Adam. He is the true Son of Abraham. He is the true Son of David. He is the Son who never disappointed His Father. He is the Son who never did any wrong. He is the Son of whom the Father spoke: “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him” (Matthew 17:5).
This Son is Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, who fulfills the hope of salvation “that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:5). During our Advent series titled “This Is My Son” you will hear again that your heavenly Father is not disappointed in you. Rather, through Jesus, He considers you to be His beloved child, with whom He is well pleased.
Make plans to gather this Advent season with your St. John’s family on the Wednesdays of November 30 and December 7 and 14 for a potluck meal at 6:00 pm and worship service at 7:00 pm. God bless you amid the busyness of the season to truly see God’s love for you in the birth of Jesus!
Pastor Tuma