"And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him." Luke 2:25

What does the word consolation mean? I means comfort. Just like Israel was waiting for God to send the Messiah to deliver them from oppression and suffering; they wanted the Messiah to give them comfort.

Still today people are looking for political deliverance whether it is in the form of racism, corruption and even forced measures such as Covid-19. We feel oppressed financially, socially and definitely spiritually. Many people think that following Jesus will free them from all of these things and if it does not happen, they blame God. All of life is expectation and perception. We expect deliverance; even when we pray, and we wrongly perceive who Jesus was and why he was born in the first place.

I think that is where we all have it wrong.We believe that the moment we invite Jesus into our hearts, minds and lives, things will change and we will be blessed with riches,  no problems or issues. We think we can pray and demand whatever we want. Looking at ourselves and what we can get out of this Jesus-in-my-heart -relationship.

I've seen many so-called preachers proclaiming to invite Jesus in your heart, to give and you will be blessed. That is called prosperity teaching and it is not the truth. It goes completely against the word of God. Nowhere in the Bible it says if you give your heart to Jesus, you will be blessed with all you can desire. Truly, it is the opposite.

Jesus said: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16: 24. Now what does that mean. It means you need to deal with your burdens and problems. In the Bible Jesus carried a cross that has come to be symbolic of the world's problems. Therefore, when people carry their own crosses, they are dealing with their own burdens.

Now can you see what I am getting at. We need to carry our cross, be in relationship with Jesus; because He knows what if feels like; and be strong dealing with what weighs us down. He is our comforter during those troublesome times and He made sure that we understand that whatever we face in this earth will be only a short time and we will be with Him as said on the cross: "IT IS FINISHED" Which means.

When you die one day, all those burdens, problems is finished and you will look upon the face that saved you from eternal death and suffering. 

Jesus did not come the first time to solve our political, physical, financial problems, but to console us on the inside and when He comes back the second time. He will conquer outwardly and rule from Jerusalem.