Last night, I had a...revelation? A thought? I don't know which:
The Jews (including the apostles) thought that the Messiah was coming to overthrow the Romans and restore Israel to her glory but he didn't and they were kind of ticked about that. So, when Jesus was arrested and insisted that they not defend him by wielding their swords, they ran off to pout like little (albeit, TERRIFIED!) children. God did not have it in mind to establish an earthly kingdom, not yet at least, and while the Son came to restore Israel, it was not in the manner they'd hoped.
We have our own preconceived notions of Jesus: He'll make our lives easier, happier, we'll have everything that we've ever wanted. Quid pro quo. I often times demand, well, I try to ask politely, that Jesus comes and fixes some stuff in my life, gets some odds and ends squared away but WHOSE PURPOSE IS HE HERE FOR? Was He here for? To do my bidding? I think not.
We often do not get what we expect from our Messiah because we do not fully understand our need. We get forgiveness instead of temporary fulfillment; we get eternally rooted joy where we'd hoped to find happiness; we get purpose where we'd hoped to find knowledge. With Jesus, you get more than you can see, more than you can hope for, and more than you can fathom.
Can I get an Amen?
3/31/10 Happy birthday, Dad!
0 comments:
Post a Comment