Jesus: He Gets Us | Plan 1Sample

Day 5 - He Gets Us: Jesus changed the narrative

Sometimes Jesus doesn’t meet our expectations.

When he showed up in the first century, people expected him to liberate them from an oppressive government. They expected him to be intimidating and powerful and usher in a new age and way of life. How else do you fight for justice and peace?

Instead, Jesus’ approach was upside down. Instead of conquering, he talked about freedom. Instead of being born to a prominent family, he identified with the poor and persecuted. He loved children. For sure, Jesus came to bring freedom, but his target was the heart, the source of all lasting change.

Only one verse in the Bible describes Jesus describing himself. He said he was humble and gentle.

Wait—gentle? Like weak and soft-spoken? Passive?

And that’s where we learn a secret.

Real gentleness is “power under control.” Imagine an immense Clydesdale being led by a child. Picture a mighty river flowing within its banks or invisible gusts pushing a turbine. Gentleness is power doing good.

Nothing is so strong as gentleness and nothing is so gentle as real strength.

So when the world expected a hero to wipe out the enemy, Jesus offered the enemy mercy. He lavished kindness on the beaten down. Blessing to the broken in spirit. A haven for whoever is weary of this world and its empty promises. He never wrote a book, or led a campaign, or held a political office. He didn’t do anything that we typically link with greatness.

But he did say, Come to Me—for I am gentle . . . and you will find rest for your souls.

That explains why he never once ignored an honest cry for help but stiff-armed the proud who thought they had life figured out.

That’s why when we meet Jesus in the Bible, he’s surrounded by the most unexpected crowd—the marginalized, the unknowns, the weak. Where are all the power players? The social influencers? The people who can make things happen?

Apparently, humility tells a better story and when word of it got out, it went viral.

All his life Jesus fought against people’s expectations. Yet he knew what he was about every moment between his birth and death. No one’s criticism or opposition knocked him off course. His journey progressed intentionally to his ultimate goal.

That goes way beyond our expectation. But so does his love.