Not What We Expect!

Have I told you that I LOVE Bible study? It doesn't really matter if it is from a Bible study book, or a discussion led by the pastor, or reading through devotionals plus all the footnotes. I just enjoy all the possibilities. Last night we were looking at the beginnings of the church by looking at the transformations of the apostles in Acts 2. The verse that we spent some time on, and that sparked an interesting thought for me, is verse 36: “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

According to the discussion led by our pastor, this statement is a slam to the Roman rulers and the Jewish religious authorities. "Lord" is the term the Romans used for Caesar and of course, "Messiah" or "Christ" is the long awaited savior of the Jewish people. The Jewish people were under the impression that their savior would be someone like David, King David, the same David who slew Goliath and conquered armies and defended Israel. In other words, they expected a military leader and a mighty on at that.

This is where my mind wondered from the Bible study discussion, or rather the current discussion. I'd studied King David before. I remember that King David wanted to build a palace for God, for worshiping God, for sacrifices to God, as a place for God to reside. However, God said "No" to David. You see, God told King David that he'd spilled too much blood. - Well, that's the way I read 2 Samuel 7. He was a mighty military leader who had killed "tens of thousands" according to the songs sung in praise to him. The savior that the Jewish religious authorities were waiting for was supposed to come from David's lineage but not necessarily be like David. I'd guess they'd been oppressed for so long that they really wanted political freedom and perhaps some revenge, rather than spiritual freedom that Jesus was offering. They just didn't recognize Jesus as the messiah. He didn't look or act like what they expected.

Lesson? God doesn't work the way we think He should. He works the way He knows will work for His purposes, which includes preparing us for eternal service in His kingdom. So, take off your blinders and be open to experiencing God everywhere He shows up.

Father, Please take away my blinders and colored glasses so that I will recognize You everywhere! Amen.

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