The Chosen movie nights at St. Lawrence have given us a lot to reflect on. A primary message of Episodes 5 and 6 of Season Five is about the different peoples’ expectations of Jesus. More accurately, I am referring to their preconceived images of the Messiah and how that aligned or didn’t with the man they knew named Jesus. Throughout his three ministry years, the Apostles and other disciples witnessed amazing signs and wonders that no other man had ever been able to produce. Those spectacular events simultaneously claimed the loyalty of the apostles’ and the ire of the Jewish leadership.
The Pharisees and Sadducees had gotten comfortable waiting for the Messiah and were not seemingly open to the idea that He might actually come. Their hearts refused to accept what their eyes saw. The average, hardworking Jew however, could embrace Jesus’ message; they felt the brunt of Roman oppression and remained hopeful of God’s promise of a savior. They were happy to claim Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.
Their world rocked, however, when Jesus started talking about being taken up and crucified. That scenario didn’t fit their script. How could Jesus be the Messiah if He would allow Jewish and Roman leadership to kill Him? They wanted to believe that it was metaphorical language. So, they continued to insist that it wasn’t true and argued with each other as to what Jesus really meant.
The point of all this is to ask ourselves: What is my expectation of Jesus? Have I formed some notions that do not fit with what Jesus actually claims? Do I think of his laws and beatitudes as recommendations rather than commandments? Do I see Him as all lovey-dovey and disregard his power and justice side? Might I see Him as a miracle worker that I only need to speak with when I am desperate? And if my prayers aren’t answered as I requested, do I believe Him to be impotent and uncaring? Our expectations of a person influence our relationship with him or her. That may be even more evident in our relationship with the person of Jesus. Let’s be careful not to create Jesus in our image, and author our own script. The apostles got themselves in trouble that way and we will too. Instead, let’s listen and believe that Jesus says what He means and means what He says.
Scripture: Read Mark 9:31-32. What stands out?
Call to Action: The best way to avoid erroneous expectations of Jesus is to read his Word and meditate on it. Try reading a few verses of one of the Gospels every day.
