Getting to Know Jesus by Name #22: Expected One

Matthew 11:2 Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Jesus is the Expected One. During advent we often sing that song: "Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus," indicating that for centuries people had been waiting for the Messiah to come.  John the Baptist wanted to know for sure; did he need to wait any longer?" It is an appropriate name for us to use for Christ - not so much to describe Him, but to indicate the lifestyle we should have in our relationship with Him. "Expect" means "To anticipate or look forward to the coming or occurrence of; await."* We know Christ came, and we say we believe He is coming again, but do we look forward in anticipation of His coming.  Is it more than wanted all our pain and struggles to be over with - to just be done with it all, or is our lifestyle one of actively expecting Him to come and wanting to see and talk with Him?

*(Diann Cotton: 100 Days with Jesus)