Do you know what one of my least favorite places in the world is?
No, it’s not the DMV.
No, it’s not the dentist.
No, it’s not even the doctor’s office.
It’s the auto mechanic shop.
I can’t stand going to get my car repaired. Not only does it take up so much of my day, but I feel so ignorant any time I walk through the doors. The worst part, though, – and I’m sure many people can relate – is that I can go in expecting to pay a certain amount of money, and almost always leave learning that my car has many more issues than I knew about, and repairs cost me two to five times what I expected!
When I have certain expectations set in place, I have a really hard time seeing them change. I know the people in Jesus’ time did, too. We read in Scripture that Peter certainly didn’t expect Jesus to ‘suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again’ (Mark 8:31). In fact, Peter took him aside and rebuked Him for saying such a thing.
Gotquestions.org says this, “The people in Jesus’ day were expecting the Messiah (Luke 3:15), but, when He came, they had some unrealistic expectations of what He’d do. They wanted the Messiah to free them from Rome, and they wrongly expected Jesus to establish His kingdom then and there (Luke 19:11). When He did not fulfill their expectations, they were frustrated and angry enough to kill. But Jesus forgave (Luke 23:34).” (GotQuestions.org)
Romans 8:28 tells us “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Thank the LORD that Jesus didn’t come to simply give the Jewish people a kingdom, but to save mankind. Thank the LORD that he led in humility when people expected Him to lead with force and might. There are many times when I say, ‘Thank the LORD that he didn’t do what I expected him to do.’ Even when we don’t know what our future holds, even when we’re shaken by changes in plans, Jesus never is. We can take comfort and solace in knowing that while our future may be unknown to us, it is never unknown to God.
Written by Erin C: Erin served for four years as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She loves encouraging women through her Victory Calls and finds such joy in praying for her sisters in Christ. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with scripture, spending time with her precious nieces, shopping, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!
