As I write this, Australia is in the throes of a federal election. I don’t know how Americans cope with twelve months of campaigning. Here in the land Down Under, we’re glad to have it all over in about five weeks!
We all have issues that are important to us; whether it’s the cost of living, affordable housing, education, aged care, national security, tax breaks, human rights, the environment and a myriad of other concerns. Hopefully, we weigh up the pros and cons of each candidate and vote for the one we think will deliver on the things we care about the most.
Here’s a news flash! Politicians aren’t perfect. Some may deliberately deceive us and seek their own power and glory. Some may have good intentions, but then find they’re not able to deliver on all of their election promises. Sometimes we’re happy with the choice we’ve made, but other times our hopes are dashed. This leader is not what we expected.
The Wrong Messiah?
Early in the first century AD, Israel was under Roman occupation, and the Jews were waiting for the promised Messiah who would overthrow their oppressors. They were expecting a warrior King, not a humble carpenter who taught that we should love our enemies, turn the other cheek, and walk the extra mile. How could they put their trust in a Saviour who spent time with the ‘wrong’ kind of people and lowered himself to the position of a servant?
Time and time again, Jesus came up against the religious establishment of the day, challenged their traditions, and pointed to a better way. Even his closest disciples didn’t understand that the Messiah must first suffer and die as an atonement for their sins.
Peter must have been extremely confident in announcing, ‘Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you.’
- Imagine his shock when Jesus replied, ‘Get behind me, Satan … you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’ (Matthew 16:22-23)
- Imagine his overwhelming grief when Jesus was crucified and the dream of liberation was buried.
- Imagine his joy when Jesus rose from the dead and restored Peter to fellowship with Him.
Food for Thought
Where do you stand as we approach another Easter? Maybe you’ve regarded Jesus as your Lord and Saviour for some time. Perhaps you think He was a good man or a moral teacher, but nothing more. Or maybe you have a more negative view of Him because of things you’ve seen or heard, or because of the way you’ve been treated by those who were supposed to love you with the love of Christ.
Wherever you are on that spectrum, let Jesus challenge your preconceptions this Easter. He might not be what you expect, but He can meet you where you are and bring his healing touch to your deepest need.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Synchro-Blog
This post is part of a synchro-blog I’m doing with some of my friends. You can read other thoughts on Easter at the following links.
Susan Barnes – Easter prompts us to turn to Jesus
Dienece Darling – He desired to see Him
Credits
Scripture quotes are from the New International Version of the Bible. Featured digital painting by raheel9630 on Pixabay. Illustration of politician from Pixabay. Photo of Jesus by Pearl on Lightstock.
6 Responses
Indeed, Jesus was not the Messiah the Jews were expecting, and sometimes He still isn’t the Messiah we would like him to be! This makes being a Christian both exciting and scary. Thanks for sharing, Nola.
Thanks for that, Susan. It’s certainly an interesting ride. You never know what He’ll come up with next! But if we go along for the ride, we find the journey was well worth it. Thanks for commenting.
I really enjoyed the way you mirrored our experience of politics to the Messiah no one expected. It really made me think. Thank you.
Thanks Dienece. There’s a lot happening in politics on the world stage at the moment, so it did make me think about politics in Jesus’s day. Interesting to contemplate the leaders we might want and the ones we might need. Thanks for commenting.
Good blog post, thanks Nola. Even though Jesus was not the Messiah they expected, I still get horrified that they hated him enough to want his death more than that of a murderer. I get sad every time I read it.
Yes, it’s amazing how the religious leaders managed to convince the crowd to turn against Him so soon after Palm Sunday, when the people had been praising Him as King. But perhaps that was the last straw for the Pharisees and they had to stop Jesus once and for all in an attempt to maintain their own power. We get so used to the Easter stories that it’s easy to forget the drama and significance of what was taking place. Thanks for bringing up that point. It’s interesting to contemplate.