A great flood was coming and the local authorities warned the town to evacuate. One woman of great faith told the police officer who came to rescue her, “I will be OK. God will protect me.” The water came and flooded her first floor, forcing her to the second floor. The fire department came in a motorboat but she refused to leave with them saying, “God will rescue me, don’t worry.” When the rising water forced her to the top of her roof, a helicopter lowered a rescue harness that she refused. “God will not let me drown, I have faith.” Within minutes she was swept away and drowned. Walking into heaven she screamed at God saying, “I had faith you would save me. Why didn’t you?” God replied, “Oh but I did try to save you. I sent the police car, then the motorboat, and then the helicopter, but you refused my help.” Obviously she had different expectations.
The Gospel for the third Sunday of Advent is all about expectations. John the Baptist, while in prison, sent his disciples to Jesus to ask, “Are you the one John said was coming, or should we expect another?” John was a little confused about the teachings and actions of Jesus. John might have been expecting something else in a Messiah. Certainly the Jews of that time who were oppressed by the Romans were looking for a military-type savior who would rain down WMD’s on the Romans and free God’s people. Instead they got something radically different!
At this time of year I have to look at my own preconceived ideas of who Jesus is in my life and how I do (or do not) live according to his expectations for me. How open am I to being challenged by Jesus’ radical messages about loving my enemies, giving from my own need to the poor, and speaking for justice and truth when that’s not the popular thing to do? Are my ideas of what Jesus expects of his disciples in line with the written word of God? When the floods come in my life, will I be prepared to recognize the saving hand of God?
Prayer: Oh loving God, your faithfulness to us and love for us far exceed any expectations we can ever imagine. In this season of watching and waiting, open our eyes and hearts to the challenges of your Son that we embrace the poor, the outcasts, and the hurting as a way of expressing our grateful love to you. Amen.