What Kind of Messiah Were They Expecting? Who is Jesus?

 

COME THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS

born to set your people free;

It seems likely that first century Jews expected a warrior on a mighty stallion, to set them free from their Roman occupiers.  Jesus turned out to be a very different kind of king - a meek and mild man entering Jerusalem on a donkey.  How confused they must have been, and some people disappointed or unbelieving, maybe even angry. 

What kind of Messiah are we expecting when we approach Christ in prayer?  A fixer, a doer, a powerful Saviour who gives us a straightforward, single answer…the answer or result we want?  

The old hymn continues

from our fears and sins release us;

let us find our rest in Thee.

These lines speak of a very different kind of freedom than I previously thought I wanted.   And because God is God, the freedom is and will continue to be much better!

Who are you expecting?  Does the conflict between our expectations and reality continue to this very day?  

This Sunday is Palm Sunday.  I wonder who we are expecting?  

Luke 19:28-40   MSG

After saying these things, Jesus headed straight up to Jerusalem. When he got near Bethphage and Bethany at the mountain called Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says anything, asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘His Master needs him.’”  The two left and found it just as he said. 

 

They brought the colt to Jesus. Then, throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on. As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street.

 

Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent,  the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed:

Blessed is he who comes,

    the king in God’s name!

All’s well in heaven!

    Glory in the high places!

Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, get your disciples under control!”          

 

But he said, “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.”