Expectations

The Life of Jesus Series:

How Jesus interacted with others.

Mark 10:35-37; Mark 10:46-52

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2010%3A35-38%2CMark%2010%3A46-52&version=NIV;NLT

  

Expectations; we all have them. You expect certain things from your spouse, your children, your parents, your boss, your employees; even the guy driving down the highway next to you.

 

Individuals with a Type A personality have expectations that drive them to accomplish goals. Followers have expectations of their leader; and beggars have expectations of those with resources.

 

In verses 46-52, Bartimaeus called Jesus the “Son of David”. That title carried with it many expectations as witnessed by these prophesies.

 

⁵ “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
    “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
    and do what is just and right in the land.
⁶ In his days Judah will be saved
    and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
    The Lord Our Righteous Savior.         Jeremiah 23:5-6 NIV

 

²³ I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. ²⁴ I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken.  Ezekiel 34:23-24 NIV

 

According to Mark 10:35-37, it would seem that James and John had expectations of Jesus to receive positions of prestige and power. No doubt they believed that the Son of David would bring Israel back to political prominence. Whereas, Bartimaeus expected healing in his life.

 

We’re no different from them in that we have our own expectations of Jesus. What are yours? At home; at work; at church; in your thought life? What do you expect from Jesus?

 

But the most important question is the one that Jesus asked both James and John as well as Bartimaeus: What do you want me to do for you?”  Across the centuries, he asks you the same question. How will you answer it?

 

 

 

 

 

Expectations and Living Life

Luke 24:1-49

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2024%3A1-49&version=NIV;NLT

 

Expectations influence every area of our lives. Sometimes this results in humorous situations while other times it can lead to painful circumstances. Here is a tongue-in-cheek list that I found called, “What husbands expect from their wives”:

• She could marry a movie star, but wants only you.
• Her favorite hobbies will be mowing the lawn and shoveling snow.
• Her favorite expression will be, "What can I do for you today, Dear?"

This was followed by the second part called, “What husbands get”:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• She speaks 140 words a minute, with gusts up to 180.
• Where there's smoke, there she is-- cooking.
• She lets you know you only have two faults: everything you do, and everything you say.

 

Expectations do influence every area of our life. The women who went to the tomb expected to find a dead body. Instead they found an empty tomb and two angels who told them the amazing story that Jesus was alive.

 

Two men walking to the village of Emmaus were discussing the events of the previous

days including the unbelievable story from the women. Originally, these men had great expectations that Jesus would be the glorious Messiah who had come to rescue Israel, but his death left them disheartened and downcast.

 

Later, as the same two men were telling the other disciples that they had just spent time with the risen Christ, Jesus actually stood among them and greeted them. Despite all of this, the disciples’ expectations clouded them with doubt. Jesus showed them his hands and feet; he even ate food to overcome their expectations.

 

³⁰ When Jesus was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³² They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”                       NIV

 

What are your expectations of Jesus?

 

When you go to a funeral or a wedding; when you travel from town to town or to work or to visit family or friends; when you eat a meal or go out shopping; when you attend church, spend time in God’s word or pray at the dinner table?

 

 

 

What do you expect from Jesus? Will you miss him or see him?

 

 

(If God has spoken to you through this blog, please feel free to share it with others.)

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