Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! –Isaiah 64:1,2, NIV 2010
We’re used to seeing the broken, sinful, disobedient Israel, longing for someone to relieve them from their Calvary. We’re already accustomed to take an example of a nation of complainers, idolaters, and imbecilic events –and still, they were the Chosen People of God.
Right now, it is the Israel that longs for the Annointed One-a Messiah that will rescue them from shame and torture. They wanted Someone who could take them out of their lukewarm step, back to the ancient paths, and onwards to the Heavenly Canaan. How much did they want a Redeemer to save their nation from destruction! And what a surprise did they receive-a few centuries later!
But for now, life is like the labeled “Party of the Year!” Give or take a few, you really want to go to that party –but you know your parents wouldn’t allow it. Either you reclaim your position as a teenager or you sneak out through the window to hitch a ride with friends. And there you are, fifteen minutes later, frolicking through the party like a happy man (or woman!)
An hour later, though, something’s wrong: it’s too out of control for you! When things grow tackier and the booze is piling up, THEN you decide to call papi and say he was right (and surely get your punishment!) And yet, something else happens: you decide to FINALLY obey your parents and not do it again. This melts your father’s heart so dearly, he decides not to punish you.
A detail is left, though: your father will pick you up, but you have to wait a bit outside in the snow…and then some.
What the Jews expected was Someone who would give them back what was rightfully theirs. (He did-spiritually.) What the Jews didn’t expect was that the Savior would come –not as the hot-shot tenant that would drive everyone away, but like the Humble Lamb that would rescue the nations.