Dear Friends,
Have you ever reflected on how many people in the ancient world were waiting for God to appear?
I recently read Taylor Caldwell’s book about Cicero, the famous Roman lawyer, Senator and orator. In “A Pillar of Iron” she describes the intense interest Cicero, and other Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians had in a coming of God into the world.
Socrates talked about the Divine One coming into the world. Aristotle talked about the Deliverer God coming. Cicero knew of the Jewish writings and prophecy of the Messiah coming, and he was waiting and looking for it as he felt that humanity needed this guidance and direction. Many other cultures had religious stories of God invading life on earth. The Jews as the “People of the Book’’ were the people of the one, true Creator God and many other nations knew of the prophecies that God was going to give mankind a new spirit, like the prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel where God says “I will take out your heart of stone and I will put my Spirit in you”.
The Romans conquered many nations that were polytheistic and worshiped many gods. The result was that these people’s belief in their gods was eroded and they sought the truth of the one true God.
It is interesting to reflect on how the wise men or Magi knew that the Messiah was coming for they saw his star. Numbers 24:17 says “A star will come out of Jacob” and the book of Daniel forecast the exact time of the Christ riding into Jerusalem like a king. See Daniel 9 talking about the time of the Anointed One to come. The Magi were the wise men of Persia or Babylon where the Jews were exiled. Daniel was actually a Magi.
The Pharisees missed the coming of the Messiah but the wise men got it! They watched the stars for signs. We don’t know for sure how many wise men there were and where they came from. Although generally regarded as coming from the east in Persia/Babylon some traditions say one was from India, where they had knowledge of a god savior coming and one was from China, where also there was some tradition of the same.
The world was watching and waiting, looking for a light! And these same people, like Cicero, knew that a light from God was to come to people of all nations. As Isaiah says in chapters 42 and 49, the Messiah is to come to be a “light to the Gentiles”. Cicero died 43 years before Christ was born but was looking and waiting to see that day.
I now realize that the all of this is why the Roman Centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus said, when they saw the earthquake and the all that happened when Christ died, “surely this was the Son of God”. They not only saw, they had heard of the prophecies and they had that background to know that this was foretold. I think the same was true of Cornelius, the Centurion from the Italian Regiment of Acts 10. Scripture says ” he was devout and a God-fearing man, he gave to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” He had heard of the prophecy of the Christ and realized that Jesus was the Messiah. Peter was shown a vision and told by the Holy Spirit to go with the men looking to take him to the house of Cornelius the scripture says, “do not hesitate to go with them for I have sent them”. After Peter preached of how Jesus was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and power, the Holy Spirit “came on” all who heard the message. The believers were astounded that “the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles”. Acts 10: 44, 45
The whole world was indeed waiting for a savior and the risen Christ began to transform the world and be a light in the darkness as God had said. The love of believers became evident right away as the cultures were changed. In Rome, it used to be common practice to let unwanted babies die, one could take them to a hill where they were left exposed to the elements to die. After Christ, life became precious and hospitals to care for the sick were started. Education became important and universities were started by Christians. Women were begun to be seen as equal human beings who should have rights, as were slaves.
The world was longing to live by the laws and precepts of God that Cicero longed for, which have slowly become written on men’s hearts as God planned. Christ coming into the world has truly been “good news that will cause great joy for all people”. Luke 2:10. The world was watching and waiting. Many are still waiting to know and understand this wonderful news. The hearts of many are prepared, we just need to tell them and show them the love, joy and peace of God, who loves all humanity and wants his children back home in relationship with him.
God has sent his angels to care for you, his Holy Spirit to dwell in you, his church to encourage you, and his word to guide you.
Blessings,
Cameron