When It Doesn’t Come How We Expected

Easter graphic 2015

When Jesus rode in on that colt, he brought with Him hope. The sounds must have been deafening. Hosanna! King of Israel! Palm branches waving, cloaks covering the ground as a welcome mat to their new King. Victory! The symbolism was not lost on anyone. Especially not Jesus.

What they had not witnessed with their own eyes, the people had heard from others. News, especially this kind of news, spread quickly. Maybe their loved one was healed or they ate the best fish dinner they had ever tasted. Could He be the Messiah? He had performed many miracles and they desperately needed a Savior.

As they stood thrilled along the path, with visions of a warrior king that would deliver them from Roman rule, Jesus humbly rode in knowing they did not understand. Their definition of king and kingdom was vastly different from his.

Have you ever known that you did not meet the expectations of those around you? Jesus understands. Even His twelve were confused about the who, what and why of Jesus. These guys had been living in a kind of shock and awe for three years. They had watched Him heal and restore. They had picked up the leftover fish and bread! When Jesus spoke of the kingdom to come, I can imagine they were not a bit interested in it involving Jesus dying. They expected Jesus to reign – rule, physically – politically. And with the ruckus that was stirred up, the Jewish and Roman leadership seemed to be expecting the same thing.

Jesus explained what’s was coming several times.

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” Matthew 16:21, NIV

Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!” Matthew 20:17-19 NIV

Sometimes we listen to someone but not really listen. What He was saying didn’t line up to what they expected. Oh how these guys had great hope that Jesus would have an earthly kingdom and they would reign with Him. Remember how they argued over who would sit at His right hand? They wanted a king. They wanted freedom.

He entered Jerusalem on Sunday and by Friday He was arrested. Jesus had a whirlwind day. He was tried in two courts and those that shouted Hosanna on Sunday were shouting crucify Him on Friday. And, they did. The disciples and all the other followers were in a fog. Heartbroken and filled with fear, Saturday they mourned. Along with the death of their friend, their leader, their hopes had died too.

What they didn’t realize was that when Jesus uttered “it is finished”, they would get what they expected. Sunday was coming. He rose King of Kings and His mission involved freedom. I just love that about Jesus. When we trust Him with the plan – our future, He gives us much more than we could ever imagine or expect.

Have you experienced a Good Friday in your life? Have your dreams and hopes died and been buried? Do you sit in your life’s Saturday, mourning the loss, numb from the shock? Can I tell you that Sunday’s coming!
Linking with…

Holly Barrett – Testimony Tuesday

Kelly Balarie – #raralinkup

 

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18 Comments

  1. Carmen, I happen to love this post. I know I so often want Jesus to be my King that saves me and reigns to protect me from everything. Sometimes, he sees what’s best for me a different way. Your post inspires my heart to reach this truth. Thank you for this sweet Carmen. I love cheering you on through the #RaRalinkup and in general.

  2. Sunday is coming, either in this life or the next. Love it, Carmen! You’ve really captured the hope and rebirth of life that we feel at Easter. Hope you had a glorious day celebrating our Lord’s resurrection!!

  3. What a wonderful explanation of what Jesus’ experiences on the last week of HIs life. It is amazing how human beings can love you one minute and try to destroy you the next. Yes, I have had some Good Fridays in my life and it is difficult and heartbreaking. But, I am waiting for my Sunday morning.

  4. Jesus really does understand being misunderstood, doesn’t He? It is encouraging to think that He kept pressing forward in spite of it, and continued to take advantage of all the potential teachable moments.

    He knew that Friday *and* Sunday were coming all along. Thankfully, He has my life in His hands, too. :)

  5. Beautiful way of sharing the way Holy week fits into every week. I loved the way you described the hope of Christ and the way Sunday can renew our daily bread. I have experienced many Good Friday’s and have found the strength in moving beyond them through Christ always remembering the pain He endured was much greater than any trial I have experienced. Thanks Carmen for a thought provoking and inspirational post.