BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS AND BIASES

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS=and biases

 

All of us have EXPECTATIONS=and biases and PREJUDICES=

In our life=we PREJUDGE people based on our assumptions=on

Who someone is=and that is WHAT HAPPENED to Jesus today=

He is PREJUDGED=by a man=who winds up=BECOMING AN

Apostle=”Can ANYTHING GOOD=come from Nazareth?”                                                   John 1:46

 

We THINK=we KNOW who a human being is=because

We KNOW their family=or WHERE they are from=or what

SCHOOL=they wen to?

 

Eve Nathaniel=Jesus’  friend is  colored=by where Jesus is from=

He calls Nazareth=a backwater town and a FARMING VILLAGE=and

It is never MENTIONED=in the old testament=so Nathaniel JUDGES Jesus=

And HOW OFTEN=does that happen to us?=where we are

JUDGED by someone= who knows NOTHING about us=some things are

BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS=and biases=Our God is a

GOD OF SURPRISES!

 

“So you also must be ready=because the Son of Man=will come at

An hour=when you do NOT EXPECT HIM”                                                                                       Matthew 24:44

 

“For the creation waits=IN EAGER EXPECTATION=for the children

Of God=to be revealed”                                                                                                                     Romans 8:19

 

“IF we deliberately keep on sinning=after we have received

The knowledge=of the truth=no sacrifice for sins is left=but

ONLY A FEARFUL EXPECTATION=of judgment

And of raging fire=that will consume the enemies of God”                                                     Hebrews 10:27

 

But Jesus does NOT take any offense=at Nathaniel’s judgement

Of him=and instead returns the insult=WITH A COMPLIMENT=”When

Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching=he said to him=’Here truly is

An Israelite=in whom=THERE IN NO DECEIT’”                                                                     John 1:47

 

So Jesus=is not only NOT OFFENDED=He makes Nathaniel=a

FRIEND and an apostle=BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS=and biases=if

Jesus CAN accept it=why can’t we have=ENOUGH FORTITUDE=to turn

Our enemies=INTO OUR FRIENDS=when they MISJUDGE US=and when

We are different=Than OUR EXPECTATIONS AND BIASES!

 

“Far be it from you=to do such a thing--------to kill the righteous

With the wicked=Treating the righteous and the wicked alike=Far

Be it from you!=Will not THE JUDGE=of all the earth=do right?”                                            Genesis 18:25

 

“DO NOT JUDGE=or you too=will be JUDGED=For in the same way=

You JUDGE others=you will be measured=and with the measure you use=

It will be measured to you”                                                                                                                 Matthew 7:1-2

 

Nathaniel did NOT EXPECT=THE MESSIAH to come from Nazareth=

He MISJUDGED Jesus=Jesus was BEYOND HIS EXPECTATIONS and biases!

Dear Lord=we PRAY= for you to HELP US=not to judge others=for OUR SAVIOR

Was born=in a human manger=He ate with sinners=and did

MIRACLES of the SABBATH day

 

He LIVED and died for us=He was/HE IS=BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS

And biases=WHO are we MISJUDGING TODAY?

 

In Jesus’ name=and in the name=of our EVER HUMBLE Holy Father God!

The God of SURPRISES

 

Robert P. Wallman

8-23-2024

 

 

Ps        INSPIRED by=AN ARTICLE=IN LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE=by Greg Erlandson