Expectations

In twelve-step recovery circles, they say “expectations are resentments waiting to happen.” During the early days of Holy Week, countless expectations swirled in the air. Everyone had hopes and opinions about the man entering the city gates, and it was just a matter of time before those expectations led to bitter resentments.

There were those expecting a political Messiah, one who would restore Israel to regal glory and deliver them from Roman occupation. Others expected a religious Messiah, one who would usher in the longed for day of justice and peace. Jesus didn't fulfill any of these expectations, at least as the people envisioned he would, and they resented him for it, which ultimately led to his crucifixion.

Although centuries later,  we look at Jesus as he enters the city for Holy Week with as many expectations as the people did in his day.  Maybe we expect him to bring peace to our lives, solve our problems, or bring us good fortune, but chances are he will not meet our expectations, or at least not as we imagine, and this often leaves us discouraged and resentful.

Perhaps the lesson is to accept Jesus as he is, not as we would have him. Rather than look for a Messiah of our own making, maybe we should receive the Messiah we’ve been given. “He’s not a tame lion,” C. S. Lewis once wrote metaphorically, so why put him in the cages of our limited thinking?

It is only when we let go of all expectations, when we stop trying to write the script, that we can begin to know Jesus, the Messiah who surpasses all human understanding . . . and expectations.