Read: Matthew 1:1-17
So all the generations . . . were fourteen generations. (v. 17)
Charles Wesley, measured by both quantity and quality, was the greatest hymn-writer in church history. He wrote something like 6,000 hymns (estimates vary). Of all those thousands, ten or twelve are still commonly sung today, including “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.”
Jesus really was “long-expected.” Think about how long the people of Israel had to wait for their Messiah. Matthew says that there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen more from David to the deportation to Babylon, and a final fourteen between the exile and Jesus. (And he condensed the list some, especially in the first part.)
Even one generation is a long time to wait. But then imagine having to wait fourteen generations, and not just fourteen, but three times fourteen! Like ancient Israel, the church has been waiting too, and for about the same length of time. We’re waiting for our long-expected Messiah to return and complete his great work of salvation.
Perhaps you are also waiting today for some personal “coming”—better health, maybe, or greater happiness; for a spouse to return to a marriage, or a child to return to the faith. You’ve been praying for it, and long-expecting God to answer. Whatever it is you are waiting for, wait with the assurance that God is working out all things in his time.
As you pray, thank God for the assurance that he is coming, and ask God to guide you as you wait.
Listen along: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus – The Petersens
About the Author
David Bast is a writer and pastor who served for 23 years as the President and Broadcast Minister for Words of Hope. Dave and his wife, Betty Jo, have four children and eight grandchildren. Dave enjoys reading, growing tomatoes, and avidly follows the Detroit Tigers.
