Hello, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. Today I want to talk about expectations—specifically, what happens when Jesus doesn't meet them. This is a deeply personal topic for me because I've wrestled with this myself, and I know many of you have too.
When bad things happen, when prayers aren't answered the way we hoped, when God seems silent, when the church suffers persecution—we wonder: Is this really how it's supposed to be?
It turns out this struggle isn't new. Even John the Baptist—the man sent by God to announce Jesus's coming, the one who baptized Jesus and saw the Spirit descend on Him like a dove—even John had doubts when Jesus didn't meet his expectations.
[John's expectations - the conquering Messiah]
Let me paint the picture. John the Baptist, along with most of Israel, expected a certain kind of Messiah. A conquering Messiah. A fiery judge filled with wrath against the evils of humanity. A stone that would crush all opposition. A ruler who would firmly defeat all other authorities on earth, especially Rome.
This is what they had been taught to expect since they were young. This is the image, the idea, the belief about the coming Messiah that they had put their hope in.
And they had good reasons for these expectations! John based his understanding on the Old Testament. Through prophecies like Daniel 2:31-35, the Kingdom of God was viewed by Israel as a time when, as theologian George Eldon Ladd writes, "God's reign will displace all other reigns, kingdoms and authorities. He will break the proud sovereignty of evil people that have dominated most of history...will sweep away every opposing rule. God alone will be King in those days."
So John and the nation of Israel were looking for a Messiah who would crush Roman rule and rescue them from oppression. A Messiah who would reign over all the earth with Israel at His side.
[Jesus's unexpected arrival - not what they expected]
But when Jesus began His ministry, He didn't fit this expectation at all. Born to humble means, living in obscurity for thirty years, His arrival on the pages of history was not accompanied by shouts of wrath, judgment and victory. As Isaiah 42:2 describes Him: "He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets."
Instead, He entered synagogues and began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." He healed the sick, cast out demons, showed compassion to the downtrodden, and walked from village to village telling people about God's love for them.
Where was the takeover of the Roman government? Where was the punishment of those who practiced evil? Where was the establishment of God's physical Kingdom on earth—His palace, throne, armies, and wealth? None of this happened...at least not in the physical realm.
[John's doubt - the question that changes everything]
It's no wonder that even John—the one sent by God to walk in the way of Elijah and announce Jesus's coming—had his doubts. Jesus didn't meet his expectations at all. Maybe John had gotten it all wrong. Maybe he had misunderstood God and His plan.
So from prison, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus directly: "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?" (Matthew 11:2-3).
Can you hear the heartbreak in that question? "Did I get it wrong? Are you really the Messiah even though you don't seem a bit like a Messiah? Or should I wait for someone else?"
[Jesus's response - gentle correction]
Here's what I love about Jesus's response: He understood John's doubts. He didn't harshly rebuke John for his unbelief and questions. As Isaiah 42:3 says, "A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out."
Instead, Jesus challenged John to change his expectations. To rethink who the Messiah truly was and what the Kingdom of Heaven truly meant. He asked John to form a new paradigm, to embrace a new revelation of God's character—a God of mercy, compassion, gentleness, and incredible love for His people.
Jesus told John's disciples: "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor" (Matthew 11:4-5).
In other words: "Look at what's actually happening, John. Not military conquest, but compassion. Not judgment, but mercy. Not crushing enemies, but healing the broken."
[Jesus's true mission - proclaiming justice]
Jesus came not to judge the world, but as Matthew 12:18-20 says, to "proclaim justice to the nations...till He leads justice to victory." He brought compassion and concern to the outcasts of society. He battled sin in each individual, but it was usually done with love, compassion, and gentleness rather than force.
Now, when dealing with demonic beings, Jesus was every bit the conqueror—not allowing them any foothold but driving them out with power and force. But with most people, He was gentle. A shepherd caring for His sheep. A suffering servant.
There were exceptions, of course. With the prideful, arrogant, unloving leaders of the Jewish faith, Jesus exhibited more of the fiery wrath that many expected of the Messiah. But even with these individuals, if there were any willing to humble themselves and ask Jesus true, heartfelt questions—like Nicodemus—He didn't turn them away but showed them compassion and concern as well.
[The church's two paths - force versus love]
When Jesus's time on earth was done—at least for now—He left behind a group of men and women who embraced the Messiah as He truly was and were willing to share that truth with those around them, even to the point of death.
History has proven, time and again, that the gentle way of Jesus, when practiced by His Church, calls many to follow Him. But history has also shown that when the Church tries to spread the Gospel with force, when it "breaks the bruised reeds" and "snuffs out the smoldering wicks," great damage is done.
[The Crusades - the cost of force]
A devastating example is the Crusades. The Church called thousands of men and women to journey to the Holy Land, supposedly following "the will of God," to take it back from the Muslim "infidels." They did this not in love, compassion, and understanding for the lost, but through force.
Thousands were killed on both sides. The cross was worn proudly by those with bloody swords in their hands. The legacy of this quest still weighs heavily on the Muslim world today and has hurt the name of Jesus in immeasurable ways.
Think about that! The very symbol of sacrificial love—the cross—became associated with violence, conquest, and bloodshed. We're still paying the price for that mistake a thousand years later. When Muslims look at Christianity, many still see the Crusaders with their swords, not Jesus with His compassion.
[The better way - examples of gentle witness]
In contrast, there have been many—including men and women like St. Patrick, Columba, William Carey, Amy Carmichael, Jim Elliot, and so many others—who brought the cross of Christ with compassion, sacrifice, gentleness, and love. They didn't come in fiery wrath but in humility and concern.
Their legacy is quite different! Many were won to Christ through their compassion, and the name of Jesus became a name in which, as Matthew 12:21 says, "the nations will put their hope."
St. Patrick wasn't forced on Ireland—he won the Irish through love. William Carey didn't conquer India—he served it for decades. Amy Carmichael didn't dominate India's children—she rescued them. Jim Elliot didn't attack the Waodani—he died reaching them with love, and his death eventually led to their conversion.
[Our mission today - following Jesus's example]
We, the Church of today, must follow the example of Jesus rather than our own expectations. Our human nature desires judgment, a powerful takeover by Christ, and expulsion of the enemy. And yes, that will happen someday at Christ's second return. But it's not yet time for that.
Our mission, like Christ's, is to show the love of God, not His judgment. We are to show the world the love of Christ so that "in His name the nations will put their hope."
This is so relevant to what we discussed in our episode about Christianity and political power! We want to force Christian values on society through laws and political might. But that's not Jesus's way! Jesus changes hearts through love, one person at a time. His kingdom spreads through gentle persuasion, not political power.
[Modern expectations - why do bad things happen?]
Today, people still have trouble with their expectations of Jesus. We ask: If I'm a Christian, why do bad things still happen to me? Why is the Church so greatly persecuted in many parts of the world? Why does Jesus let children suffer? Why do only some follow Jesus and not everyone? Why, why, why?
We search the Bible, our hearts, ask other Christians, read books, listen to sermons. Yet when we ask Jesus Himself, I believe that—just like in John's day—Jesus still says to us: "Pay attention to what you see and hear: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor."
[God's quiet power - persuasion not force]
God is moving tremendously in the world, and He has been since the beginning. Yet instead of coming with mighty military power, His present Kingdom comes with quiet, gentle persuasion.
Think about it! Christianity has grown from twelve disciples to 2.4 billion followers worldwide—not primarily through conquest, but through transformation. The explosive growth in China happened underground, through suffering and sacrifice, not political power. The Korean church grew through persecution and prayer. The African church is exploding through evangelism and discipleship, not military might.
Just as Jesus enters each of our hearts with love and patience, His Kingdom spreads in this world with love and patience—with persuasion rather than power.
[The application - changing our expectations]
So what does this mean for us? First, we need to examine our expectations of Jesus. Are we expecting Him to be the conquering Messiah who crushes our enemies and makes our lives easy? Are we disappointed when He doesn't give us health, wealth, and comfort? Are we frustrated when He doesn't immediately judge evil and establish His visible kingdom?
If so, we're making the same mistake John made. We're putting our expectations above God's revelation of who He actually is.
Second, we need to embrace the gentle way of Jesus in how we do missions. We don't go to the nations with swords—literal or metaphorical. We don't force conversion. We don't use political power to compel belief. We go with love, compassion, sacrifice, and service. We wash feet. We heal the sick. We feed the hungry. We proclaim good news to the poor.
Third, we need to trust God's timing. Yes, Jesus will return as the conquering King. Yes, He will judge the earth. Yes, every knee will bow. But that's the second coming, not the first. Right now, we're in the age of grace, the age of the Gospel going to all nations, the age when God is patiently calling people to repentance.
[Closing prayer]
Let me pray:
Thank you for joining me today. May we never make the mistake of the Crusaders, forcing Christ on others. Instead, may we follow the example of Jesus and the great missionaries—winning the nations through sacrificial love.
Until next time, remember—keep your eyes on the nations, and bring them Jesus as He truly is: the gentle Shepherd, the suffering Servant, the compassionate Savior!
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