Expectations

The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

"Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!"

Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."

John 12:12-15 (NIV)

Over the past three years, the people had heard the teaching, seen the miracles. Eager for the promised king, chaffing under the rule of Rome, they expected this man to be the leader of a revolution.

He was, but not in the way they anticipated.

Rather than a fiery revolutionary who would lead the revolt against Rome and become King of the Jews, they got an obedient Son, who through His suffering, death and resurrection gave us victory over the power of sin.

Not quite what they expected.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.

Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)