Unfulfilled Expectations
April 13, 2025
Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17; Luke 19:28-44
A national magazine assigned a photographer to take pictures of a forest fire. They told him a small plane would be waiting at the airport to fly him over the fire. The photographer arrived at the airstrip just an hour before sundown. Sure enough, a small Cessna airplane stood waiting. He jumped in with his equipment and shouted, "Let's go!" The pilot, a tense-looking man, turned the plane into the wind, and soon they were in the air, though flying erratically. "Fly over the north side of the fire," said the photographer, "and make several low-level passes." "Why?" asked the nervous pilot. "Because I’m going to take pictures!" yelled the photographer. "I'm a photographer, and photographers take pictures."
The pilot replied, "You mean you’re not the flight instructor?"
We have expectations concerning others and ourselves. Expectations are a part of our make-up. Every relationship involves expectations, whether it is at home, at church or at work. When you enter marriage, you have expectations of your spouse, and your spouse has expectations of you. In your parenting, you have expectations of your children, and your children have expectations of you.
Not only do you have certain expectations over the next hour, but for the rest of the day, tomorrow, and for years to come. You might anticipate graduating, getting married, obtaining a job, or a better job, vacationing, making a million dollars, buying a house, having children, retiring and having grandchildren. You have certain expectations to live happily ever after.
Sometimes these expectations do not happen. We work towards a goal, only to see it fall apart. We have an image in our minds of the perfect family, career, or lifestyle, then something negative happens. As a result, we often become upset, angry, critical, sad, discouraged, fearful, stressed or have personal guilt or shame. Unfulfilled expectations are painful.
Almost two thousand years ago, expectations soared as Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday. The people expected to crown him as King. Jesus was going to deliver them from the Romans. The whole crowd began to praise God in loud voices saying “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.” Expectations were high. The Messiah had arrived.
However, a few days later, their expectations were crucified on a cross. Their expectations were unfulfilled. This morning, I want to look at several principles relating to expectations that we can learn from that first Palm Sunday and Passion week.
Here is the first principle. Know and trust the Lord has everything under control!
In Luke 19:29-36, Jesus was approaching the village of Bethphage and Bethany at the hill of the Mount of Olives. He instructed two of his disciples to get a colt. He even told them what to say if anyone asked what they were doing. Jesus orchestrated the whole thing!
Everything was and is under his control, his authority. He also takes care of the details of your life. As Romans 8:28 states, All things work for good for those who love Jesus Christ. Even if you experience unfulfilled expectations, know the Lord is working in your life. If the Lord knows the number of hairs on your head, then you can rest assured he is involved in every detail of your life. Job 34:21 states,God's Knowledge Of PeopleGod Seeing All PeopleEyes, Used Of God
For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps.
2. Your expectations need to be firmly planted in a proper understanding of God’s word.
The people assumed that Jesus would establish his earthly kingship, but it was not clearly based on a fuller understanding of God’s word. As Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem, the people recognized that this was fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. Matthew 21:4, 5 states, This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
The people thought Jesus was the Messiah, the King. However, their viewpoint was one of a great military deliverer, an earthly king. The Jews, Jesus own disciples, did not understand Jesus as one who would have to suffer and die. They missed the part of the Messiah being a Suffering Servant, dying for sin as spoken of in Isaiah 53.
Why? It is because they based their expectations on a limited knowledge of God’s word. Often, we do the same thing. Some believe Scripture teaches that God will bless them materially. This is known as the prosperity gospel. Others expect God to heal them from their infirmities. Some expect God to accept them into his kingdom without being obedient and loving Him. They misunderstand the concepts of belief and grace. They have an easy believism or cheap grace perspective.
Since, if one does not have a clear understanding of God’s word, we tend to misinterpret, take Scripture out of context/apply poor hermeneutics. One usually interprets according to his/her expectations.
Our expectations need to rely on the clear promises found in God’s word. For instance, someday, Jesus Christ shall return. Why can I expect this? Because God’s word very clearly says, Jesus shall return in all his glory.
Each one of us need to adjust aligning our expectations up with what is clearly taught in God’s word.
This leads me to my third principle. Wake up to the fact that your expectations are hampered by your sinful self-will.
Luke 19:41 notes, “Jesus approached Jerusalem, saw the city, and he wept over it.” Jesus wept because of their sinfulness. The expectations of the Israelites were out of line with God’s will. They were prideful, self-righteous people.
Matthew 21:9-11 notes that the crowds cried out Hosanna meaning, “Save now.” They wanted God’s blessing, but there was no spiritual desire in their hearts, no deep sense of their ugly sin, no real commitment to honor God as God. And because of this, Jesus wept as they had no clue what would bring them true peace. Instead of crying Hosanna, “Save now,” the appropriate response would have been “Save us from our sin.” Have mercy on us Righteous One. However, they did not. It was not until after Jesus’ resurrection as the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost that some three thousand people were cut to the heart. It was then they woke up to their sinfulness.
Our selfishness, our disobedience, our unbelief, our hardheartedness, our pride, our greed, our immorality blinds us. So many give lip service to Jesus, but do not grieve over their sin before a Holy God.
Sin distorts God’s view of what is right and fair. Our sinful nature runs deep. Sin distorts the expectations of many young people. When we are/were young, we expect to live a long, healthy life. As a result, we took unnecessary risks.
If you expect to have a healthy relationship with your marriage partner, then one needs to be alert to the temptation of lust and the negative effects of sexual promiscuity. If an alcoholic spouse does not wake up to the fact that he/she is destroying one’s marriage, the marriage will collapse. Sin will distort and destroy.
My hope is that we will each cleanse ourselves from any sin that hinders us and become the church the Lord expects! Let each of us cry out to the Lord, “Save me from my sin. Have mercy on me, help me, forgive me for I am a sinner in need of your saving grace!”
Then shed the selfishness, the hardheartedness, the bitterness, the unforgiving attitude, the pride, the greed, the anger, the fear, the stubbornness, the jealousy, or whatever else that hinders you. As each of us do this, the Lord will work!
4. If your expectations are Biblically incorrect, you might suffer correction, discipline, and/or judgment.
In Luke 19:43, 44, Jesus warns, promises that the Jews are going to get a spanking. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you, and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you. This was of course fulfilled when the Romans took Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
There are times God will discipline, allow trials in our life to test our faith or to teach us. Hopefully, each of us will learn and grow more into His character.
This leads to the next principle. 5. Learn and trust in the Lord! Adjust your perspective and be obedient! Do not lose heart when the storms of life destroy your expectations.
The expectations of Jesus’ disciples were devastated as Jesus was arrested and put to death on a cross. Judas had betrayed Jesus and the group. The disciples had to hide because the Jewish leaders were probably looking for them. They had given up everything to follow Jesus. Now, they were broken as Jesus was dead.
In a similar way, we can feel devastated flunking a test, failing a course, smashing the car, not having a job, a victim seeing her assailant go free, a spouse leaving, or unexpectedly losing a loved one.
At times, we feel like, “What is the use?” “Life is not fair.” To put it bluntly, that is the way things are. I do not like it. You do not like it. We want life to be rosy, positive, and at least fair. But it isn’t.
God never promised life would be fair. We all have and will have troubles of some sort. There are all types of stress and discouragement that we experience. We can expect it in this world. However, there is good news. As Jesus said, In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
Jesus has overcome the world! When Jesus did not follow up the triumphal entry with moves of a military conqueror, the people began to lose faith in Him. They lost any belief in him when they saw how he allowed himself to be arrested and be crucified on a cross. Many, who had praised him, who had been sympathetic towards him, joined the clamor against him.
Even some of Jesus’ followers lost faith. In Luke 24, we have the story…. 13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel…They even noted, verse 22-24, In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” Then Jesus said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!...
Jesus further explained to them Old Testament prophecy. They then realized that they were talking to the resurrected Jesus.
Jesus also appeared his disciples on Resurrection evening. As a result, the disciples’ fear, their discouragement, turned into extraordinary joy. We might not understand the storms of today, but we accept them as we look forward, have an assured hope beyond this sick, sinful, death stinking world. Like Jesus facing the greatest trial in history, let us also say, Not my will, but your will be done (Luke 22:42).
When you release your expectation and adjust your perspective, you can rejoice at what God is going to do instead of complaining about what God did not do.
Years ago, when Aaron was a preschooler, I had an early appointment and needed to get him ready for preschool. He had gotten up around 6:30 and as usual began watching television. I told him to take a bath. I expected him to get ready for preschool. Yet, I had to tell him several times. He expected to watch some television as he told me to “Shut up.” We then had a little talk. He started to yell and told me to leave him alone. At which time, I warned him that if he didn’t change his attitude and go take a bath, I would have to spank him. His attitude did not change. I lightly spanked him on the bottom. I tried to talk to him, but he told me to leave him alone as he hid in his room. I tried to talk telling him I had to go to work and was to meet somebody. I needed for him to get ready so I could drop him off at the preschool. I also told him that he didn’t have to hide, but just say you’re sorry and then do what you’re told. I might have also told him that if he didn’t change his behavior, I would have to spank him again. However, I also added, you don’t have to hide, I love you. Then, suddenly, it was like a light came on in that little head of his. He had adjusted his perspective. He was not mad at me anymore. He came out of his room and promptly got cleaned up.
When unfulfilled expectations happen, I hope and pray you will learn, trust, adjust, and do what the Lord wants you to do!
Here is the last principle. Understand and know who Jesus IS!
Matthew 21:10, 11 states, When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Who is Jesus? Even though the people asked who Jesus is, they did not understand who He really was and is. People’s expectations were wrong. The crowds wanted a miracle Jesus to satisfy their every whim. He would meet all their needs, including being freed from the Romans.
The Pharisees had already decided that Jesus was not to their liking. They wanted a ritual Jesus, but Jesus did not keep the religious leaders’ rituals. They even wanted Jesus to rebuke his followers for giving him praise (Luke 19:38-40). Later in the week, the religious leaders tried to catch him in a misstep so they could turn the crowds against him.
Who was Jesus for the Zealots? The Zealots wanted a military leader to overthrow the Roman government.
Who was Jesus for the disciples? They wanted a victorious Jesus. They wanted a high-ranking position. They wondered aloud which of them would be allowed to sit at his right hand when he came into his kingdom. Even though Jesus told them, they did not see the Messiah as Suffering Servant.
The most important question in life is "Who is Jesus? It has been said that our disappointments in Jesus usually come from a misunderstanding of who Jesus IS! Jesus asks the most pertinent question, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter blurts out, "You are the Messiah, the son of the living God."
Jesus clearly states who He IS! Jesus said in John 10:30, I and the Father are one.
He said in John 11:25, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.
Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
In Mark 14, Jesus was on trial before the religious leaders. Verses 61-64 notes that the high priest asked, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus responded, “I AM. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” As a result, the religious leaders condemned him to death because of blasphemy. Please realize Jesus was crucified because he claimed to be God in the flesh!
I hope and pray you will realize, recognize, receive, believe Jesus is the Messiah. He is Lord! He proclaimed it himself! He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies! The resurrection proves who he proclaimed to be.
Let me close with this story. In his book The Divine Commodity, Skye Jethani shares a story from a trip he took to India with his father. While walking the streets of New Delhi, a little boy approached them. He was "skinny as a rail, and naked but for tattered blue shorts. His legs were stiff and contorted, like a wire hanger twisted upon itself." Because of his condition, the little boy could only waddle along on his calloused knees. He made his way toward Skye and his father and cried out, "One rupee, please! One rupee!" Skye describes what happened when his father eventually responded to the boy's persistent begging:
"What do you want?," my father asked.
"One rupee, sir," the boy said while motioning his hand to his mouth and bowing his head in deference. My father laughed.
"How about I give you five rupees?" he said. The boy's submissive countenance suddenly became defiant. He retracted his hand and sneered at us. He thought my father was joking, having a laugh at his expense. After all, no one would willingly give up five rupees. The boy started shuffling away, mumbling curses under his breath.
My father reached into his pocket. Hearing the coins jingle, the boy stopped and looked back over his shoulder. My father was holding out a five-rupee coin. He approached the stunned boy and placed the coin into his hand. The boy did not move or say a word. He just stared at the coin in his hand. We passed him and proceeded to cross the street.
A moment later the shouting resumed, except this time the boy was yelling, "Thank you! Thank you, sir! Bless you!" He raced after us once again—but not for more money but to touch my father's feet. …
This, I imagine, is how our God sees us—as miserable creatures in desperate need of his help. But rather than asking for what we truly need, rather than desiring what he is able and willing to give, we settle for lesser things.
May you understand and realize the LORD is GOOD. May you take to heart the extent of His love in Jesus Christ. As Corrie Ten Boom stated, “There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still.”
