What “if” someone doesn’t live up to your expectations?
John expected power. John expected a show of power. John expected a force of power. John expected a lot of power. A lot of people did. John was not alone.
John the Baptizer spent his life proclaiming himself hoarse about looking forward to “one” that is more powerful than he.
“Power” being the operative word here.
But it was to be power used in a “very specific manner.”
See all these Romans? Make them all vanish and disappear, every single last one of them. And let them take their tax collectors with them, too!
There were others too, that could go on that list. Sympathizers… People in cahoots with Rome… Including some religious and some political officials…there were a lot of people that were complacent. Individuals who sold out…and usually for personal financial gain!
The common mind wanted a “rebel.” A rebel with a cause… They desired a rebel leader that breathes fire. They wanted unquenchable fire. A fire that never burns out… A fire that would defeat any and all enemies of Israel…
There was this expectation that when the messiah came – there would be a “show of “great” force.”
A king would be good.
A king like King David of old…
A warrior king…
A slayer of enemies… A slayer of tens of thousands…
A king of power and might…
A king mighty in battle…
A king with a massive undefeatable army…
That’s what the people wanted…that’s what they desired.
A strong right arm.
Power – that sums it up – pretty much!
They wanted glory days…rallying the troops, inciting violence, storming the palace gates…
They wanted the country reunited again as one nation…strong and mighty with a united population of people.
They wanted wrongs – righted again.
Where’s the brimstone? Where is the axe yielding messiah?
Maybe that’s what the people always want. They want what they can’t have!
No one wants to settle. It is impossible to make everyone happy. But everyone wants:
Something better…
Something more…
Something different…to come along.
Interesting…
Anything less than that…was not a possible consideration… The people had made their up minds and they knew exactly what they desired and needed.
The Messiah had some mighty big sandals to fill and there were expectations galore.
There were certain expectations that needed to be filled out – and to the letter.
And yet the people said they “knew” exactly what they were looking for, yearning for, longing for, hoping for…
When the messiah came they would all know it, immediately, they were sure of it.
And yet the funny thing was – there were many that came saying, “I am he.” And, of course, they were not!
And then, along comes Jesus.
“Is Jesus the one who is to come?” – that was – John’s original question. He wasn’t sure. A lot of people were not sure. A lot of people wondered about him and waited and watched!
The answer that John received back was really no answer at all. See for yourselves. Hear for yourselves. Decide for yourselves.
But the unasked – much more difficult and trickier question was this: “Can you live with the answer? Can you live with a guy who does not fit your expectations? Can you live with a guy who keeps turning the status ladder upside down?
Does the messiah “have to fit” your exact specifications and expectations? What if he does not?
What if he is different?
What if he comes and you do not receive him? What then? You do realize that the word messiah means the “anointed one of God.”
What happens if you just walk away and never receive him? Supposing he is “that different” from what you have imagined? What then?