“When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.” – John 7:40-44
I have had the honor of preaching the Bible as a Senior Pastor for more than two decades. Often, I meet people who have only listened to podcasts or watched me preach online. When we finally meet, they often say, “I thought you would be taller!”
My reply is, “I thought I would be taller, too!”
Since the last will be first, I expect to be able to dunk a basketball in my resurrection body. Until then, my tall sons are in the process of pushing me to the front row of my own Christmas photo.
Have you ever heard a lot about someone and upon meeting them been surprised that they were not like you were expecting? The same thing happened to Jesus.
The Bible scholars had apparently created a very neat and tidy description of exactly where Jesus would come from, how He would come, and what He would do. When Jesus came, He apparently did not fit all their charts, graphs, and expectations.
Today, we are awaiting the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Once again, the Bible scholars have created their own neat and tidy charts, graphs, and expectations for the Lord’s unveiling. Since we got it wrong the first time, we should learn a lesson. Jesus is coming, the dead will be raised, and the Kingdom will come, but the details should be in pencil just in case Jesus comes with an eraser.
Is there anything that you are perhaps too dogmatic about and need to wait and see what God does in the future?