Thursday, December 8—John 4:20-26
People in the time of Jesus’ earthly life were expecting the Messiah. They had certain expectations, some of which were true, and others not. Many expected a political Messiah, who would drive out the Romans and give them back their kingdom as it was in the time of David and Solomon. We may wonder what the Pharisees expected; maybe someone who would praise them and say, “Keep up the good work.” John the Baptist asked if Jesus was the Messiah. Even His disciples wondered at times
This woman expected that the Messiah would explain everything. Is this what we expect? The recorded words of Jesus tell us much—really, more than we are willing to do. He doesn’t tell us “everything,” but obviously more than we can handle at times. Mark Twain is quoted as saying “Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not understand, but the passages that bother me are those I do understand.” Is this true of us as well? Do we understand more than we obey?
Jesus was not what most then were expecting. John said the world did not know him. Do we know Him any better today? We may agree that Jesus is Savior, Teacher, Example, God in human flesh. But what about—supporter of the status quo or supporter of the underdog? Capitalist or socialist? Male supremacist or feminist? A song tells of children seeing Him with different skin colors like their own. We all see Him as we want Him to be—not just in appearance. We want Him to agree with us rather than changing ourselves to agree with Him. Our expectations should be guided by God’s truth.
Dear Jesus, help us to see you as you really are and go as this woman did and tell others.
Pattisue Thoman
