April 7, 2023

The Unexpected

Life is unpredictable. Sometimes in delightful ways, sometimes not; sometimes in inconsequential ways, other times with profound consequences. This year’s women’s and men’s college basketball playoffs were surprising and unexpected in many ways. But that is not the same as the unexpected abundance of precipitation that has deluged drought ridden California, the consequences of which are still to be determined.

This is a week of unexpected events. Confusion over the division of labor in leading our recent Palm Sunday service was only compounded by an unreliable organ—certainly that was not the plan. Of course, the expectations of Jesus’ followers of his visit to Jerusalem for the Passover were far different than what unfolded. Jesus had momentum. With the wind at his back from his ministry in Galilee and the growing number of followers attracted by his teachings and miraculous healings, he had a surge in the polls as he approached Jerusalem. Certainly the enthusiastic reception Jesus experienced only fueled the expectations of the crowds who wondered out loud, “Is this the Messiah? Is this the one for whom we waited so long? Are we finally going to be free from the Romans?” There were high expectations.

Once in Jerusalem, however, Jesus did not confront Rome and gather Jewish support for an insurrection. Instead the Jewish religious elite became the target of Jesus’ criticism, particularly those leaders of Jerusalem’s Temple. And in turn, those leaders turned on Jesus with a vengeance. And they turned him over to Rome. And the disciples turned and ran. Jesus was betrayed, denied, condemned, and crucified. The week ended, not triumphantly as its start portended, but fatally. The messiah-elect was dead and his followers hopelessly dispersed. Only Jesus appears to have seen this coming.

Yet, even more unexpectedly, the story continues—not as hopeless tragedy but as a more triumphant victory than anyone had imagined. The most unexpected nature of this week is ultimately what we call not just good news, but the good news—the best news. So good no one would even dare to imagine it. Through it, we learn that God’s imagination for creation and humanity is far beyond what we would ever dare hope. 

Tonight we gather to tell what appears to be the end of the story, death on a cross, Jesus humiliated and executed by Rome for all to see. Sunday we gather to celebrate the execution of God’s magnificent plan of redemption and hope, restoration and salvation. And celebrate we will, this most unexpected, consequential, life-changing, and life-giving act of divine mercy and love in our human history.

Come, join us to pray through the story of God’s serendipitous love and grace, where nothing turns out as planned or expected. Thanks be to God.

~ Pastor Todd