As we begin Holy Week, whether you are Christian or not, it is interesting to look at the some of the players in the story that occurred in the week of the traditional Jewish Passover. According to Josephus, this is a historical account that this story took place. What is also worth noting are the people involved and their reactions to this man. As I wrote in a blog at Christmastime, the ones closest to Jesus at His birth were not the ones expected and this time of His trial and execution, the ones expected to be closest to Jesus were not around and He was all alone.

The Pharisees were the driving force for Jesus’s execution. Very affluent and influential of the culture, these powerful ones set rules that were beyond the Law of Moses and made it difficult for anyone who tries to follow them. Supposedly looking for the Messiah, they rejected Sent One. Jesus was not what they expected.

 The Romans expected Him to fight back but He didn’t need to defend Himself. Using the usual tactics to intimidate prisoners and criminals, they were surprised when He didn’t respond in the way they wanted. He was not what they expected.

 The Crowd changed sides mid-week after following Him because they listened to human leaders rather than God. They were convinced by others Jesus was not what they expected.

 The Disciples were afraid and ran away. After all that time with Jesus, they lost their courage in the face of danger but later “turned the world upside down.” Jesus was not what they expected, but then He became so much more.

 Many times, the actual person of Jesus defies your finite expectation of Him. Find our what He is really like. Not a church or denomination, but Jesus Himself through the reading of the Gospels.

Matthew 16:15

 Who do you say that I am?

#Jesus #salvation# WayTruthLife #RealLife