Tuesday, May 10
Scripture: 1 Samuel 19-20, Mark 10
Expect the unexpected
Observation
In every story in Mark 10, Jesus surprises. He does not say or do what was expected.
1-12: When questioned about divorce, which was widely permitted for any reason, Jesus pointed them back to God’s original intention that marriage was a permanent bond, and to divorce and remarry is to commit adultery. The disciples not only questioned Him (Mark 10:10) but were aghast and said, “In that case, it’s better not to marry!” (Matthew 19:10). Not what they expected.
13-16: When parents brought their little children to Jesus for a blessing, the disciples rebuked them and shooed them away. Jesus rebuked the disciples, not the parents, and said, “Let the little children come to me; the Kingdom belongs to such as these.” He valued children; they did not. Not what they expected.
17-31: When the rich young ruler wanted to follow, Jesus told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor and then come follow Jesus. He went away sad, unable to part with his money. Jesus said, “It is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom.” The disciples were astonished (v. 24), then more astonished (v. 26). It was commonly believed that wealth was a sign of God’s blessing. If the rich aren’t in, “then who can be saved?” they asked. Not what they expected.
32-34: When Jesus told them on the way to Jerusalem that he would be arrested, condemned, flogged, killed and then rise, they were unable to comprehend it. Not what they expected.
35-45: When James and John, seeking power, asked to be His VP’s in His new kingdom and the other disciples were offended, Jesus told them all that greatness in His kingdom would be measured by service, not power over others. “The greatest (or first) will be the slave to all.” Not what they expected.
46-52: When they were leaving Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus began calling to Jesus for help. He was a nobody, and the crowd (and no doubt some disciples) tried to silence him. He only cried louder. Jesus stopped—for a nobody—and healed him. Not what they expected.
At every turn, Jesus surprised them.
Application
Pastor Noel used to often remind me to “Expect the unexpected.” Walking with Jesus is an adventure, full of surprises, full of the unexpected. He refuses to be squeezed into our mold, to fit in our expectations.
Likewise, we are called to swim against the tide. To be different in a surprising and healthy way. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2
So expect the unexpected as you walk with Jesus. And do the unexpected as you follow Him.
It’s an adventure…a life full of surprises.
Prayer: Lord, I love this about You! I love that You are bigger than our expectations, that You refuse to be squeezed into our mold, that You surprise us at every turn!