It’s a psalm kind of day.

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
….You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
….O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! Psalm 30:11-12

Luke 19:28-38 (<<click here to read the passage)

Most people have a vice of some sort, and I would say that for Karen and myself it is that we enjoy eating out. We are not into high-end kinds of places but like different foods and locations.

On occasion, we will try places that others think are just the best. Sometimes, after trying them, we agree and other times we wonder why and both of us concur, “We’ll not be coming back here!” We have certain expectations that meet our personal criteria and no matter the reputation of wherever it is, if they don’t meet our expectations, they don’t become a place that we would recommend or return to.

The incident in today’s passage is noted in all four Gospels. We know it as Jesus’ Triumphal Entry. Interestingly enough it is just overflowing with expectations. But it would also be the pivotal point in Jesus’ life and ministry.

Anybody that had an inkling of what had been going on in Israel for the past 3 years or so, regarding Jesus, had come to believe that He was the Messiah of their hopes and dreams. No longer would they have to live under the heavy hand of Rome. The Kingdom of Israel would be restored. Their liberation was at hand!

And Jesus seemed to confirm their expectations when He specifically instructed two of His disciples to bring Him a young donkey…that no one has ever ridden. v30 That alone was a fulfillment of an ancient proclamation of the prophet Zechariah

“Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey – riding on a donkey’s colt.” Zechariah 9:9 NLT

It was all very intentional on Jesus’ part but where things pivoted was when they found out the King He was, wasn’t the king they had expected.

What are my expectations, Jesus? I’ve been taught all kinds of things. I have believed all kinds of things. But what is reality? What would You have to say about all I hold fast to? Are those things true…or false? Are they things I want to believe because I’ve always believed them? Or am I willing to let them go so as to know the real You…the true You? And in so doing my life will be forever changed! Your expectations become my expectations…and the journey can truly begin!

Nov 2nd, 2020, Mon, 4:35 pm