It is quite probable that a portion of the people on the side of the road weren’t aware of who Jesus actually was. While everyone may have agreed that Jesus was the Messiah, there may have been many different versions of how they understood that term. For some, perhaps even the majority, the term “messiah” meant someone who would overthrow the Roman conquerors, improve the economy and return Israel to its former independent glory. Now that would be a messiah!
As it turned out, the Messiah was much more than they could ever imagine. The new world order wasn’t to be about making one nation better than another or putting one group of people above others. It wasn’t only about life on earth, but also about eternal life offered to all. Jesus turned out doing more than anyone could imagine.
How often is that the way God works? How often have we prayed for a certain outcome in life only to be disappointed? And how often do we discover-perhaps years down the road-that God had something better waiting for us, better than we could ever imagine?
Lord, I pray for the strength and patience to see your will be done in my life. May I always realize that your plan for me is more than I can ever imagine. Amen. — LGR