Should We Expect Someone Else?

You’ve seen those pixelated images that seem to be one thing, but when you focus on it for a while, it turns into something entirely different. The image becomes clear when you stay focused and not interrupted.

Do you think that’s how it was for many when Jesus began his ministry? They expected him to be a warrior who would stamp out the evil in the world with his strength and might. But God had a different plan that was totally unexpected and misunderstood.

1After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

2When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come or should we expect someone else?”

4Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

Matthew 1-6

John the Baptist had known Jesus for a long time. They were actually cousins. Did he really question whether Jesus was the Messiah? He’d heard God’s voice from heaven, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Jesus was not the man that many thought he would be. It was not only questioned by John, but by God’s people and teachers of the faith, as well. They expected a savior wielding a sword and Jesus came with a different agenda. One of grace, peace, and forgiveness.

Mistrust comes from a place of hurt.

John is in prison after calling Herod out publicly for taking his sister-in-law as his wife. Granting his daughter-in-law anything she wants is what put John in prison. Maybe John thought Jesus would protect him. Is that what caused him to doubt?

When we go through dark and troubling times, even though we believe, we can face those similar emotions. Sometimes we may take our eyes off Jesus when the challenges in life seem overwhelming. We fear what’s coming and we focus on it instead of Jesus and what we know his has promised.

Look at the humanity of Jesus when he was in the garden asking for the cup to be taken from him. But, he deferred to God’s will. And that’s how we should word our prayers. I’ve thought about this, if God’s will might lead to life on earth ending. The way I look at it, with faith in Him as my loving Father, I’ll be in good hands no matter what. But even those with the strongest of faith can have doubts. Give yourself grace when you have doubts, because you’re in good company.

It would be normal to feel shame at doubting God, I should think. But, if you don’t seek God, your heart hardens.

John’s disciples carry messages to him of the examples of signs that the Kingdom of God has come. There is power in the sharing of miracles Jesus performed. The deaf hear, the blind see, the crippled walk, the sick are healed, and the dead live again.

They didn’t expect a savior who loved the way Jesus loved. They didn’t understand that Jesus was the God they claimed to worship.

It’s important to be humble; to not think we have to always be on top. Think about how many times God chose the underdog to be the hero. The marginalized were the ones chosen to do great things. A young girl chosen as the mother to the Messiah, Moses as the one to lead the Jews to the Promised Land, and Joseph who was betrayed by his brothers to be the one who saved a nation from starvation.

So often God’s words are taken out of context and it has done more harm than good. Someone twists scripture to what they want to say.

A personal relationship is so important to giving us the knowledge we need. The Gospel is the greatest gift anyone can ever receive. It brings us the true peace that can only come through Christ.

So often God gets blamed for us not caring. The Church gets blamed when someone who says they’re a Christian does or says something that does mesh with scripture. It’s so unfair and keeps those who are unbelievers from wanting any part of God. Shame on us.

I was just watching a video of Kat Von D talking about her decision to be baptized. She shared a taping of her baptism because it was an outward declaration of what she felt inside. She wanted her fans to share in that. It made me so sad to hear her say that the people who criticized her the most on her post were Christians! It doesn’t surprise me, but it hurts to know that people look at all Christians this way. That’s not how we are called to act. Love one another as I have loved you is the way I read it. God looks at the heart and so should we! Don’t judge lest you be judged.

We just can’t be empathetic, can we? I’m so sorry if you’ve been hurt by someone claiming to be a Christian. I’m sorry if it’s been me that may have caused that hurt. I’m still growing in my faith and God has opened up so much lately that I still need to work on.

God is on our side! He’s working all around us, not in the way we expected. His mercy and favor rests on you. John the Baptist needed to be reminded and I think we do too. It’s not too late for any of us.

In Faith,

Pam