Matthew 11:7 Jesus started talking to the crowd about John. “What did you expect when you went out to see him in the wild?” (The Message Bible)
The John here is John the Baptist who is at this point in the story in prison. The question is self-explanatory; what were you expecting. Peterson, the translator of The Message”, talks about expectations earlier also. In 11:3 John asks, “Are you the One we’ve been expecting,” and in 11:6 Jesus replies, “Is this what you were expecting?” Christmas is all about expecting something. Kids expect Santa with presents. Hallmark and other commercial enterprises teach us to expect romance and passion. Some have expectations of perfect family gathering, others of peace on earth and good will towards men. Many are disappointed when they find their expectations are grounded in a fantasy. What can we really expect from Christmas and God? We can expect the unexpected; the divine in a baby; some who have been a mess being made whole; royalty in a stable; holiness in our midst. What are you expecting this Christmas? Is it an unexpected Jesus? May the unexpected goodness of God touch your life this week.
Logan Memorial Presbyterian Church 