Unmet Expectations

The people welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with shouts of acclamation, expecting him to overthrow the government and be their king. Instead, Jesus was condemned to die a criminal’s death on a cross.

The disciples expected to serve their Master. Instead, the Master served them by washing their feet.

The Jews expected their Messiah to be a strong military leader. Instead, Jesus submitted to his arrest without an ounce of fight and even rebuked Peter who tried to defend him.

The governor, the chief priests, and the elders expected a defense. Instead, Jesus gave them no answer.

Pilate expected the stone and the guard to keep the tomb secure. Instead, the stone was rolled away.

The women expected to anoint the body of Jesus with spices. Instead, they did not find a body to anoint.

Peter and John ran and expected to find a sealed tomb. Instead, they found an empty tomb, just as the women had told them.

The travelers expected to discuss among themselves the things they had seen. Instead, the risen Lord appeared among them and interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Praise be to God that Jesus does not meet human expectations. Otherwise, we would remain dead in our trespasses and sins with no hope of salvation. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem