The Unexpected Jesus - Intro Series

THE UNEXPECTED JESUS - INTRO

Luke 4:16-21

INTRODUCTION: Maybe some of you have heard of Norm Evans. He was an all-pro lineman for the

Miami Dolphins. Several years ago he wrote a book titled On God’s Squad, in which he discusses

his faith, his conversion and his view of football as a result. When it came to his perspective

of Jesus, he wrote, "I guarantee you, Christ would be the toughest guy who ever played this

game. If he were alive today I would picture a six-foot-six 260-pound defensive tackle who

would always make the big plays." Fritz Peterson, who at one time played professional baseball

for the New York Yankees, gave his take on Jesus. He said, "I firmly believe if Jesus Christ

were sliding into second base, he would knock the second baseman into left-field to break up

the double play. Christ might not throw a spitball, but He would play hard with the rules." Not

conventional views of Jesus are they. These two men brought their own experiences and passions

to bear upon Jesus. The things they loved, the things that were influential in their lives

became the framework for their perspective of the Savior, and they shaped their expectations

of the Him by their own lives. At times don’t we do the very same thing?

I. OUR CONVENTIONAL VIEW OF JESUS

A. From the happenings and condition of our own lives we drawn our views of Jesus. This is not

only true as individuals but as congregations.

1. When we are hurting from life’s tragedies, we see Jesus hurting with us. When we are joyful

over an unexpected blessing, the fulfillment of a dream, the completion of a goal, we see Jesus

rejoicing with us. When we are proud of our accomplishments, even our faithfulness, we see

Jesus glorying with us. When we are angry over an insult, a personal attack, or an injustice,

we see Jesus angered with us.

2. In short, we pigeon-hole Jesus, we put Him in a box, wrap Him up in a neat little package

and make Him predictable. We hem Jesus in by our passions, our life, our experiences, our hopes,

dreams, goal and we them think we have Him all figured out. So did the Jews of the 1st Century.

II. THE JEWISH VIEW OF JESUS

A. Their lives, both individually and collectively as a nation, determined their view of the

promised Messiah.

1. It had been almost 1000 years since the Kingdom of Israel had stood. After the death of

Solomon, Israel plunged into division, chaos, wickedness, defeat, and captivity. Their riches

were gone, their credibility destroyed, their strength vanquished and their national pride

snuffed out.

2. They were God’s chosen people and they expected a Messiah who would resurrect the Kingdom

and all its grandeur. A Son of God would bring again respect, power, prestige, wealth, and

holiness to His Own Special Nation. They Saw Jesus through their own biases.

3. They too pigeon-holed Him, put Him in a box, wrapped Him up in a neat little package and

though they had Him all figured out. The Jesus they got was far different from their

expectations. READ TEXT

III. THE VIEW OF JESUS OFFERED IN SCRIPTURE

A. Here we are given a glimpse of who Jesus would be as He lived among God’s creation. And He

would not be who they, or ever we at time, would expect.

1. He would go places they would never go, have contact with people they would never

associate with, do things they would never dream of doing, and be someone they could not

completely understand.

2. Jesus would break down barriers, cross lines, trash tradition, throw away most conventional

thinking about God and, as a result, change lives like no one else. They were not prepared

for Him, and sometimes we aren’t either.

B. Notice what Jesus said of Himself as He read Isaiah 61:1,2, and the implications made for

His ministry and work.

1. He would "preach the gospel to the poor." Simply put, He would proclaim the Good News of

Grace to the Impoverished. It would not matter if they were poor physically or poor

spiritually. He would go to them and not the wealthy and prestigious.

2. He would "heal the brokenhearted." In other words, He would cure the ailments of the heart

and the spirit. It would not matter when the pain and anguish came from; sin or suffering,

discouragement or disease, He would bring healing to them. He would not spend His time with

the well and self-righteous.

3. He would "deliver the captives." His mission was to bring freedom to those in bondage.

Whether it was a physical imprisonment or a spiritual imprisonment, for the sinner or the

saint, He would set them free. He was not going to the ones who though they were perfect.