Whom Do You Seek? Understanding Jesus Beyond Our Expectations
We all come to Jesus with different expectations. Some seek a comforting friend, others a wise teacher, and still others hope for a powerful defender. But what happens when Jesus doesn’t match our expectations?
Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?
Jesus came with several clear purposes:
To serve and give His life as a ransom for many
To conquer death and defeat it forever
To reveal God to humanity in a tangible way
When Expectations Don’t Match Reality
Throughout history, many rejected Jesus because He didn’t meet their expectations:
Money changers disliked His view of holiness
Pharisees resented losing their influence
Sadducees feared losing their power
All wanted a Savior who served their desires rather than one who took control
The Pivotal Question: “Whom Do You Seek?”
In John 18:4, Jesus poses this profound question to those coming to arrest Him. This moment reveals several important truths:
Jesus knew everything that would happen yet stepped forward
He faced a mob of 300-1000 armed men
He remained in complete control of the situation
Who is Jesus Really?
Jesus reveals Himself as:
A teacher willing to guide
A healer restoring the broken
A shepherd protecting His flock
The Savior offering redemption
The King with ultimate authority
The Light of the world
The Son of God
The Lord of Lords
The Power of His Presence
When Jesus declared “I am” (ego ami), the entire mob fell to the ground. This demonstrates:
His divine authority
The power of His presence
A glimpse of future prophecy where every knee will bow
Life Application
This week, consider these questions:
What expectations do you bring to your relationship with Jesus?
Are you willing to set aside those expectations to see Jesus as He truly is?
How would your faith change if you embraced Jesus’ full identity rather than just the aspects that comfort you?
Challenge: Take time each day this week to pray and ask God to reveal Himself as He truly is, not as you want Him to be. Write down any new insights about His character that challenge your previous expectations.
Remember, Jesus doesn’t force Himself on anyone. He reveals His glory and asks, “Will you love me back?” The choice to see and accept Him as He truly is remains yours.
