Aligning Expectations: Embracing the True Jesus
Summary
In my sermon today, I reflected on the profound truths of the Easter story, focusing on the expectations and perspectives we hold about Jesus Christ. I began by acknowledging our shared human condition as described in Romans 3:23, recognizing that we have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory. This acknowledgment set the stage for understanding the significance of Jesus' sacrifice and the hope that Easter brings.
As we entered Holy Week, I emphasized the transition from the joyous celebration of Palm Sunday to the somber remembrance of Jesus' suffering and crucifixion. I challenged us to identify with the crowd that had self-driven and selfish expectations of Jesus, urging us to set aside our preconceived notions and surrender to Jesus as the leader of our lives.
I invited us to experience the love and forgiveness of Jesus by aligning our expectations with the unseen reality of who He is. This involves asking Jesus to forgive our sins, heal our brokenness, and help us see our lives through the lens of His truth.
I also highlighted the importance of worship and how it prepares our hearts and minds to receive God's word. I shared insights into the physiology of worship, explaining how singing together oxygenates our brains and readies us for spiritual engagement.
The sermon delved into the events of Palm Sunday, examining the various perspectives and expectations of those who witnessed Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. I pointed out that the crowd expected Jesus to be a political savior like King David, while the religious elite wanted Him to fit into their established religious system. Even Jesus' disciples had their own misguided expectations, seeking positions of power in His kingdom.
I drew parallels between the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, highlighting the unseen reality of God's redemptive plan. This unseen reality was the fulfillment of God's promise to provide a sacrificial lamb, His own Son, for the atonement of our sins.
As the week progressed, I recounted the choice presented to the crowd by Pilate: to release Jesus Barabbas, a symbol of selfish human desires, or Jesus the Christ, the embodiment of love. The crowd's decision to crucify Jesus revealed their inability to recognize the Messiah and their adherence to flawed perspectives.
In conclusion, I called us to reflect on our own expectations of Jesus and to consider whether they align with His true identity and mission. I encouraged us to embrace the reality of Jesus' love and sacrifice, allowing it to transform our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Our understanding of Jesus must transcend our human expectations and align with the unseen reality of His divine nature and mission. This requires a heart posture of humility and willingness to let go of our desires in favor of His plans for us. [49:33]
- Worship is not merely a ritual; it is a physiological and spiritual preparation that enhances our receptivity to God's presence and word. As we engage in worship, we are not only expressing our adoration but also priming our hearts and minds for a deeper encounter with the Holy Spirit.
- The story of Palm Sunday reveals the diverse and often misguided expectations people had of Jesus. It serves as a reminder for us to examine whether our perspectives of Jesus are shaped by cultural, personal, or religious influences rather than by the truth of who He is.
- The account of Abraham and Isaac prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, teaching us about the depth of God's love and the unseen reality of His redemptive plan. This story invites us to trust in God's provision and to recognize the significance of Jesus as the Lamb of God.
- The choice between Jesus Barabbas and Jesus the Christ illustrates the human tendency to choose self-interest over selfless love. As followers of Christ, we are called to embrace the sacrificial love of Jesus and to live out that love in our relationships with others.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
2. Matthew 21:1-11 - Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
3. Genesis 22:1-14 - The story of Abraham and Isaac.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 3:23 say about the human condition and our relationship with God?
2. In Matthew 21:1-11, what were the different reactions and expectations of the crowd as Jesus entered Jerusalem?
3. How does the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22:1-14 prefigure the sacrifice of Jesus? ([20:27])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does recognizing our shared human condition as sinners (Romans 3:23) help us understand the significance of Jesus' sacrifice? ([27:23])
2. What can we learn from the crowd's expectations of Jesus as a political savior in Matthew 21:1-11, and how does this reflect our own expectations of Jesus today? ([09:00])
3. How does the story of Abraham and Isaac deepen our understanding of God's redemptive plan through Jesus' sacrifice? ([20:27])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own expectations of Jesus. Are there any preconceived notions you need to surrender to align with His true identity and mission? ([29:32])
2. How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine to prepare your heart and mind for a deeper encounter with the Holy Spirit? ([02:17])
3. Think about a time when your expectations of Jesus were shaped by cultural, personal, or religious influences. How can you shift your perspective to be more aligned with the truth of who He is? ([16:04])
4. In what ways can you embrace the sacrificial love of Jesus in your relationships with others, especially when it requires setting aside your own desires? ([24:44])
5. How can the story of Abraham and Isaac inspire you to trust in God's provision and recognize the significance of Jesus as the Lamb of God in your life? ([20:27])
6. Reflect on the choice between Jesus Barabbas and Jesus the Christ. How can you ensure that your decisions reflect selfless love rather than self-interest? ([24:44])
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you need to let go of your expectations and allow Jesus to lead. What steps will you take this week to make that change? ([29:32])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Jesus Beyond Expectations
The journey of faith requires a conscious effort to see Jesus not through the lens of our desires but through the reality of His divine nature and mission. This can be challenging, as it involves letting go of personal ambitions and the images of Christ that have been shaped by culture or tradition. It is a call to humility, where one's heart must be open to the transformation that comes from truly understanding who Jesus is. This transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous process of aligning one's will with God's, which often means re-evaluating and adjusting one's expectations of what it means to follow Christ. [49:33]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you projected your own desires onto Jesus, and how can you begin to seek a more authentic understanding of His true nature and mission?
Day 2: The Heart of Worship
Worship is a transformative experience that goes beyond singing hymns; it is a spiritual discipline that prepares the heart and mind for an encounter with the divine. Engaging in worship with a community can have a profound physiological impact, oxygenating the brain and making one more receptive to the Holy Spirit. This preparation is essential for receiving God's word and presence, allowing believers to connect with Him on a deeper level. Worship is an act of surrender, a declaration that God is worthy of praise, and a personal invitation for Him to work within us. [07:40]
"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart." (Ephesians 5:18-19 ESV)
Reflection: How does your practice of worship reflect a heart posture of surrender, and what steps can you take to make worship a more integral part of your daily life?
Day 3: Challenging Cultural Perspectives of Jesus
The story of Palm Sunday serves as a powerful reminder of the diverse and often misguided expectations that people had of Jesus. It challenges believers to examine their own perceptions of Christ and to consider whether these are influenced by personal, cultural, or religious biases. To truly know Jesus, one must seek to understand Him based on the truth of Scripture, not the prevailing narratives of the time. This requires a willingness to confront and discard any preconceived notions that do not align with the biblical account of His life and teachings. [07:40]
"Jesus said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'" (Matthew 16:15-16 ESV)
Reflection: What are some specific ways in which your cultural or personal background has shaped your understanding of Jesus, and how can you begin to align your perspective with the biblical truth of His identity?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Redemptive Plan
The account of Abraham and Isaac is a profound foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice that God would make through His Son, Jesus. It teaches us about the depth of God's love and the unseen reality of His redemptive plan. This story invites believers to trust in God's provision and to recognize the significance of Jesus as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Understanding this unseen reality helps to deepen one's faith and appreciation for the sacrifice that was made for humanity's atonement. [07:40]
"By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, 'Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.'" (Hebrews 11:17-18 ESV)
Reflection: How does the story of Abraham and Isaac challenge you to trust in God's provision in your own life, and what is one area where you need to surrender your understanding to God's greater plan?
Day 5: Choosing Selfless Love Over Self-Interest
The choice presented to the crowd by Pilate between Jesus Barabbas and Jesus the Christ illustrates the human tendency to choose self-interest over selfless love. This moment in history calls believers to reflect on their own choices and to embrace the sacrificial love of Jesus. It is a call to live out that love in relationships with others, to choose compassion and mercy over selfish desires. The decision to follow Christ is a decision to walk in His footsteps, to prioritize the well-being of others, and to embody the love that He showed on the cross. [07:40]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:4-5 ESV)
Reflection: Can you identify a recent situation where you chose self-interest over selfless love, and what is one practical way you can choose to embody Christ's love in your interactions today?
Quotes
1) "But there's great hope in the scripture. And there's great hope in what we will experience this next week with Easter. And that is that because of what Jesus has done, not because of our perspectives, or our expectations, but because of what he and the Father has done, that we have a shot of truly understanding who Jesus is and experiencing his love and his forgiveness." [28:09]
2) "How do I experience that? Well, we set down our expectations and our perspectives. We say, Jesus, whoever you say you are, I'll take that. And I'll set aside who I want you to be and who I want God to be to me. I'll surrender all that. And I'll just ask you, would you come and be the leader of my life?" [29:36]
3) "The unseen reality that I am operating in will serve you best. And so here's the, I say a hint, this is more than a hint. But if we go back to Genesis 22, when Abraham is told by God, take your son, your only son, whom you love, take him up the mountain and sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on the mountain that I will show you." [21:39]
4) "The unseen reality is that through the process of the Passover, as all the lambs were being put on the altar for sacrifice of sins, what does God do? He takes the lamb off the altar and he places on the altar his one and only son, whom he loves as the ultimate sacrifice for our sin." [22:56]
5) "Which of these two do you want me to release to you? Ask the governor Barabbas, they answered. What shall I do then with Jesus, who is called the Messiah, Pilate asked. And they answered, crucify him. Crucify him. It's interesting, they were basically saying, give us the one who is selfishly pursuing his own interest." [24:06]
6) "The Jewish people were the people of God. Now, I don't know what descent you come from. I'm Scots Irish on one side and very English on the other. And so my people weren't there. Whatever that means nowadays. The idea is if the people of God could not recognize the Messiah, nobody, nobody would recognize the Messiah." [26:48]
7) "What are your expectations of who Jesus is? And in this week, as we see in the scriptures, so many different characters with so many different ideas of who Jesus is to be to them or what they want Jesus to be, we asked the same questions today. And there's a reason why God has designed for us as believers to worship through the calendar year." [15:32]
8) "Jesus was modeling what it means to have a relationship with our Creator. And he keeps telling his disciples, there's something bigger going on here than what you see. And one more time, actually multiple times during the last week of his life, he keeps telling his disciples, I'm going to be leaving you soon." [17:50]
9) "The Pharisees were religious leaders that were under Roman occupation, but they were balancing the tensions and beliefs of government and religion in order to maintain the status quo, in order to maintain their status and their income within the system and their position and their reputations." [11:55]
10) "For the Son of Man came not to be cared for, he came to care for others. He came to give his life so that many could be brought by his blood and made free from the punishment of sin. So even some of the disciples in his own ranks who were following Jesus and trying to see what it was like to be a disciple of Jesus." [12:58]
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