Day Eight
Rev. Leslie K. Welton
Associate Pastor /Director of Discipleship
St. John’s Lutheran Church
Sacramento, California
Psalm 72.1-7, 18-19
Isaiah 4.2-6
Acts 1.12-17, 21-26
“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet…All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.”
People are going to disappoint us. From the time we are small we learn from experience that folks do not always do what they promise. Friends go back on their word. A co-worker gets the promotion when we are certain his or her work is not up to standard. Our children do not put forth their best effort in school or embarrass us at dinner. The list goes on, and we are disappointed with each other time and time again. Yet, undaunted, we continue to expect that our friends will come through, that our work will be rewarded, that our children will turn into competent and decent adults. Our expectation is that the end will be better that all that in-between disappointment.
There is so much disappointment, expectation, and humanity is this reading from the book of Acts. The disciples and followers are waiting for the promised Holy Spirit. They pray constantly, expecting that what Jesus said would happen would indeed come to pass. But as readers, we are left waiting. And then enter the gap formed by Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. I have often wondered about Matthias. He had been with them from the beginning. He knew Jesus. He knew Judas. Not only was he a witness to the resurrection of the Lord, but he had seen the whole story play out, and we are left to wonder what he thought of his former colleague. It probably is not helpful to ponder why Judas was chosen to play the role he played, but it is interesting to think Matthias might have wondered about that very thing. Yet in the end, Matthias was still chosen to be witness with the disciples, to be a part of the twelve. It was not about Matthias; it was about what God was doing.
The story didn’t play out for Matthias like he thought it would. Why do we expect things to go our way? The way of our Lord is not an easy one. Matthias lost a friend in this story, saw his Master die a cruel death and then depart after a glorious resurrection. But the vision of those disciples, men and women gathered together in Jerusalem, expecting that Jesus would keep his promise reminds us that our expectations are worth setting high. Remember, our God keeps promises to a people who are always disappointing.
As we journey into the second week of Advent, we repent with the expectation that we will be forgiven. We pray with the expectation that our prayers will ascend to our heavenly Father. We look to the future redemption of creation knowing that the God who created heaven and earth is continually working to redeem that creation until that final day of glory – a day we long for with expectant hope.
Yes, people disappoint, but our God is faithful when we are not. Come, Lord Jesus!
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God of fulfilled expectations, as your children once gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem to await your promised Holy Spirit, so we also wait expecting your presence among us. Give us the patience of a community waiting together for the fulfillment of your promise. May our prayers be constant and our love for one another like the love you show your children each and every day. Amen.
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