When God Defies Our Expectations

This weekend we’ll observe Good Friday and celebrate Resurrection Sunday in a short thirty-six hour span—knowing exactly how the story ends.

Jesus came promising something the people didn’t know they wanted, let alone needed. And he certainly went about it in an unconventional, unprecedented way.

But Jesus’ followers and other observers didn’t have the same luxury or perspective that we do. They had to watch the story unfold from within it.

Cue the disappointment.

First century Jews were waiting for a Savior that would right the world’s systems, squash their Roman oppressors, and begin a political revolution. In essence, they wanted a Jesus that would change their circumstances here and now. None of this future kingdom and the kingdom is within business.

That would never do. They wanted something they could touch and feel. Something that would bring immediate change.

Jesus’ actions and plans did not fit first-century Jewish expectations for the Messiah. At all.

Many of them missed the coming of the Messiah completely. Fought against him. Railed against his methods. His ways. Doubted his character and even his Personhood.

Mark 8:11-13 tells us exactly how they reacted to him…

“When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, ‘Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign.’ So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake.”

And so, many of them missed the miracle, the wonder, the even deeper, more subversive, work that Jesus came to accomplish. Because they didn’t have eyes to see what he was really up to.

And not much has changed thousands of years later.

We still long for God to show up in the manner that we desire, and in the way we would deem most pleasing. We don’t want his plan; we want him to fulfill ours.

We too can find ourselves feeling a lot like those early followers and observers. Wondering what exactly is going on? Because what we see with our eyes doesn’t make sense. We long for rescue, but it doesn’t seem to be part of the plan. And it seems as if you and God aren’t on the same page at all.

So, what do we do with a God that still defies our expectations all these years later?

Maybe you’re there right now. Feeling like God has completely let you down and ignored your expectations and is instead answering you with something that seems so completely other than what you asked for. I’ve been there my friend. I know how difficult that season can be. But there is hope. Isn’t that what this season is all about?

Take some comfort today from the first century believers who probably knew exactly how you felt as well.

But I want to remind you of one thing: You know how the story ends. God had grand plans. Plans of redemption and rescue that went far beyond what any human mind could understand. And he still does today. Even in your situation and your life.

If we’ll allow it, Easter gives us eyes that see differently. Hearts that long to live differently. Minds that process the events around us differently—knowing there’s more going on than what our eyes can see. Hearts that trust that even though things don’t seem to be going the way we would like, that God is working a future that will be better than we can dream up for ourselves.

If you can’t find anything else to rejoice in right now, rejoice in that this Easter weekend.

Much love,

Erica