All Men in Expectation

And as the people were in expectation, . . . all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not.—Luke 3:15

Homer Montague

The Jewish historian Josephus stated there was a general anticipation that the Messiah’s appearance was nigh when Jesus was born. Presumably this was based upon the popular interpretation of Daniel’s prophecy of the seventy weeks (Dan. 9:24-27). Although Jesus was not anointed as Messiah until thirty years later, the desire of the wise men from the east to worship the King of the Jews and the order given by Herod to slay innocent children in an attempt to kill this potential rival attested to the stir caused by the holy infant’s arrival upon the scene (Matt. 2:1-18).

Nearly three decades passed before John the Baptist began his work as a reformer by calling upon the people to repent from their sinful ways. The effect of his preaching led many to wonder whether or not he was the Christ, but John acknowledged being merely a forerunner; the one who would follow would be greater than he.

The first advent covers the three and one half year period from the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan river to his death on the cross of Calvary, although a case might be made for extending this period until his ascension, since, as the risen Christ, he intermittently had contact with the disciples.

When Jesus commenced his ministry, Palestine had been under foreign subjugation for nearly one hundred years. The temple priesthood cooperated with the occupying Roman powers to maintain a measure of autonomy. They were thus permitted to conduct their religious services as the authorized spiritual leaders of the Jewish people.

The Scribes

The scribes were transcribers of the scriptures and considered as authorities on the law. The decisions rendered by the leading members of this class became part of the "oral tradition," which in effect often superseded God’s word. In the New Testament we frequently find the scribes and Pharisees mentioned together, and in certain cases, some scribes were Pharisees (Acts 23:9).

Jesus was forceful in his condemnation of the scribes. He said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the market places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation" (Luke 20:46, 47 RSV). The various theories and speculations rendered by the scribes were perceived by the people to be shallow when compared to the magnificent eloquence and truths expressed by the Master. The scriptures, speaking of our Lord, so indicate: "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrines: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Matt. 7:28, 29). Clearly, the scribes bore much hatred and resentment towards the Son of Man because his righteousness exposed them for what they truly were.

The Pharisees

According to Smith’s Bible Dictionary, the following items are partially descriptive of the religious sect in Jesus’ day known as the Pharisees:

1. The oral law of Jewish traditions became to them a compendium of the entire ritual law and, in time, was considered to be of greater importance than the sacred writings of Moses.

2. Not only did the Pharisees pretend to keep God’s law perfectly but they required the people to follow a series of regulations dealing with minute details, such as ritualistic washings, fastings, and tithings, which proved burdensome.

3. They sought the admiration of men and, instead of acknowledging their own sinful nature, they manifested pride and self-righteousness, which were contrary to the spirit of godliness.

4. They were avaricious and sensual. Additionally, they made proselytes who ultimately became even more narrow in thought and opposed the truth to a greater degree than themselves.

Jesus was the epitome of truth, righteousness, and humility. He rebuked the hypocrisy of the Pharisees: "In the meantime, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy" (Luke 12:1).

In addition, Matthew 23:13-33 contains a litany of specifics to support this charge of hypocrisy which both the scribes and Pharisees practiced. It is, therefore, understandable that our Lord would be hated and his enemies would seek his life. We read, "And the Pharisees went forth and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him" (Mark 3:6).

Sadduccees

Another faction which existed during the first advent of Jesus was the Sadducees. Unlike the Pharisees, they taught it was mandatory for the nation to follow the written law because it was of divine origin. Apparently they had great prominence and authority. We read of them, "Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison" (Acts 5:17, 18).

Other distinguishing features of the Sadduccees were a disbelief in angels or spirit beings (Acts 23:8) and a denial of the resurrection. Seeking to entrap the Master concerning this last point (Matt. 22:23-33), they provide further evidence of Christ’s ability to show up the sophistry of such opposing claims. Jesus warned his disciples about the impure motives of both these groups: "How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees" (Matt. 16:11, 12).

Jesus’ Disciples

The disciples generally were "unlearned and ignorant men" (Acts 4:13), and yet it is this group of individuals who were to have their names inscribed in the foundations of the new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:14). Surely, God’s ways are higher than ours. Each of these special followers of the Lamb had different natural attributes. Although they needed various experiences and the guidance of the holy spirit to transform them into suitable vessels for the Master’s service, with the exception of Judas Iscariot, they all manifested loyalty, honesty of heart, and faithfulness in sacrificing earthly interests.

Their human frailties, however, were exhibited frequently in the presence of the Master. Instances of such shortcomings included disputes among themselves as to who should be the greatest (Mark 9:33, 34), Peter’s denial of the Lord (Matt. 26:73-75), an inability to remain awake and be a source of comfort during Christ’s Gethsemane hour (Matt. 26:36-38), and a sense of doubt on the road to Emmaus by the two disciples concerning Jesus’ death and his failure to restore Israel as they had supposed (Luke 24:13-21). The knowledge that the disciples overcame all these fleshly weaknesses should give encouragement to all who are truly God’s children at this time.

The Common People

Though rejected by the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadduccees, Jesus was well received by the ordinary people of his day. His teachings and miracles were powerful and stood in sharp contrast to the formality and lack of vitality found among the religious leaders. The Bible says, "and the common people heard him gladly" (Mark 12:37).

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan" (Matt. 4:23-25).

After Christ miraculously fed the five thousand, he had to depart into a mountain because he discerned the multitude desired to force him into becoming their king (John 6:14, 15).

Mixed Reviews

Jesus’ ministry evoked mixed reviews because on the one hand "there went out a fame of him through all the region round about" (Luke 4:14), on the other, he read in the synagogue of Nazareth on the Sabbath and declared scripture was being fulfilled in their midst. In amazement they inquired, "Is not this Joseph’s son?" (Luke 4:21, 22). Those who heard his response concerning a prophet being without honor in his own country were so incensed they unsuccessfully sought to kill him (Luke 4:28-30).

On another occasion, as recorded in John 7:3-9, the kinfolk of Jesus (probably his cousins) urged him to go up to Judea to attend the annual feast of Tabernacles and perform some mighty works to prove himself in front of the learned individuals who would be there. This suggestion was made because his relatives doubted his Messiahship. Our Lord, while confident of divine protection, did not immediately depart for Jerusalem. He knew the chief priests, through envy, sought to kill him. Instead, he told his relatives that they should attend the feast, but he would not "go up yet" because his hour was not fully come.

After his brethren left, however, Jesus did depart for Jerusalem "not openly, but as it were in secret." Although he initially kept a low profile, he later became more visible. There was much discussion about the Master at this great feast. People inquired who he was, and some responded that he was a good man, while others indicated he led the people astray. No one, however, would speak openly in his favor, because everyone feared the priests, scribes, and Pharisees who hated Jesus. When the feast of Tabernacles was at its height, Jesus went into the temple and taught as did the other teachers. The rulers were filled with great wonder because his teaching was remarkable and many of the people believed in him and said, in effect, that if he was not Christ, then when Christ would come, how could he possibly perform greater miracles than those of Jesus (v. 31). The Pharisees and chief priests sent officers to take Jesus, but the record is that no man dared lay hands upon him.

The Turning Point

The turning point in our Lord’s first advent was when he offered himself to the nation of Israel as their king. This was prophesied in Zechariah 9:9. The New Testament record of the fulfillment of this prophecy is: "And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation" (Luke 19:35-44).

Events during the final week of the Lord’s ministry ranged from a multitude hailing him as king to his being utterly rejected by the nation he loved so dearly. When Pilate gave the crowd the choice of freeing him or a convicted murderer, under the prodding of the chief priests the decision was made abundantly clear—release Barabbas, but crucify Christ Jesus, the King of the Jews.

The execution of the Just One brought the first advent to a close. As Christians, how glad we should be that the story does not end there; but in God’s plan, one of the important promises concerning our Lord’s second advent indicates that the blindness that came upon Israel will ultimately be removed after the church is completed and the New Covenant arrangement is established (Rom. 11:25-32).