2.2.20 - The Unexpected Expectations of Jesus

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1-4 (3:1-17)

Jesus has a surprising relationship with expectations. On the one hand, Matthew’s gospel makes a strong case for how Jesus’s life fulfills the Old Testament prophecies surrounding the coming Messiah. But on the other hand, there is little about Jesus that people seem to be able to predict. He comes from an unusual background; he trusts some unusual people; and his teachings seem to catch both the moral and the immoral off guard. But underneath it all is a coherent picture of a God who cares most about who we are becoming instead of who we have been. We see this particularly in the story of John the Baptist, who criticizes the Pharisees for rejecting the baptism they need...before providing Jesus with a baptism he doesn’t! This week, we want to consider what expectations we might be placing on God...and as those expectations are challenged, ask: am I also being invited into a new way of seeing things?

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. Describe a time where you had a significant change of heart about something or someone. How did that change the way you behaved towards it/them?

  2. What pieces of your past are you holding onto or unable to forgive yourself for? What are the physical/psychological side effects?

  3. Have you ever tried to “force” a behavior without really believing in the rationale for it? (Hint: often a workplace experience) What are the results? What are the consequences?

  4. What is your next step for allowing Jesus and the Holy Spirit to influence or reshape your mindset?

Kenny Camacho