How Disappointing

The scene. A man hanging nailed to a wooden cross between a couple of thieves also hanging on crosses. Above his head is a sign, “King of the Jews. How ironic. Just a week earlier this man was being celebrated and cheered as he triumphantly and humbly entered into Jerusalem. The people who had cheered him on that day, a week later were calling out for him to be crucified. What was the heinous act this man had perpetrated to warrant such a change in opinion in one week? He committed the crime of disappointing them. The people had watched his ministry for several years, seen his miracles, and heard his words of love. They had been promised a Messiah, a savior and now he had proclaimed himself. The promise had been fulfilled. They were going to have the kingdom re-established through the line of David and Judea would again have a king who would lead them, Rome would be expelled, and they would be saved from a time of oppression and tribulation. But, that was not what was happening. He had not expelled Rome and those who celebrated him had now gone from celebration to dissolution to disappointment to utter hatred. That is the problem. They did not understand you do not get to pick your savior and that can be very disappointing. We want to be in charge of selecting the person who will be our Lord. We do not have multiple saviors to choose from. Fortunately Jesus chose us before the beginning of time. He sacrificed himself for our sins. He will accept us into his eternal kingdom if we choose to follow him where he leads. This is our time of communion where we reflect on a God who became flesh and walked among us and died so that we may live eternally with him in paradise.