The Servant Messiah - 2

An Expectant People - Luke 3:2

Annas and Caiiphas were high priests in Jerusalem to preside over the worship of God’s chosen people. Messiah was coming to a people expecting his advent. The Messiah had been promised to their great king, David. The prophets had continually reminded of this promise. They had described how and where he was to come. They described in broad outline his mission of peace and order.
Since the destruction of the political kingdom, they had been an oppressed people. First they were exiles in the foreign land of Babylon. When they returned to their homeland they were inspired and as radiant as when the nation was rescued from bondage of Egypt. Although they were not free, they were part of an enlightened Persian Empire which granted them many privileges. Although they were not a political entity, they were a spiritual servant of God to live by the commandments and spread the faith to others.
When Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire, they once again became a suffering people. As the Greek Empire was falling apart, the people of God suffer their most devastating persecution when the oppressor sought to stamp out their religion. Many fled to the hills, many stayed and died in the street. Others left the homeland and took up residence in other parts of the empire. Some remained and formed a military rebellion which one a short period of freedom before the Romans came.
They disagreed on the manner of Messiah’s advent. The Scribes and Pharisees emphasized righteousness by rigid adherence to the law of Moses. They felt that Messiah would come when God’s people truly honored and obeyed the law of Moses. They expected a dramatic intervention to overthrow the oppressor. Other believers (Essenes built monasteries where they studied and copied the Scriptures looking for signs to kindle their hope. A smaller more violent group called Zealots stirred rebellion believing that Messiah would come and support their cause.
The people were looking for Messiah to come.