The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 2) Defying Expectations Series

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 2) Defying Expectations

Introduction

Today, I want to take you on a journey to explore a profound and often surprising aspect of our Saviour—what I like to call "The Unexpected Jesus." Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently defied expectations. Whether it was the religious leaders of the day, the multitudes, or even His own disciples, Jesus was always more than people anticipated. His actions, words, and choices frequently left those around Him astounded and sometimes even confused. But in these unexpected moments, Jesus reveals deep truths about God’s character, His kingdom, and His purposes for our lives.

Our focus today will be on how Jesus challenges our preconceived notions and invites us to encounter Him in ways we might not expect. We will explore three key points:

The Unexpected Authority of Jesus

The Unexpected Compassion of Jesus

The Unexpected Sacrifice of Jesus

We will draw on various passages of Scripture to see how Jesus reveals Himself in unexpected ways and how those revelations challenge and transform us.

I. The Unexpected Authority of Jesus

Let’s begin by examining the unexpected authority of Jesus. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus exercising authority in ways that left people amazed and sometimes even outraged. One of the most striking examples of this is found in Mark 1:21-22 (NLT):

"Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law."

In this passage, we see that the people were astonished by the authority with which Jesus taught. The Greek word used here for "authority" is exousia, which implies not just power, but rightful power—legitimate authority. Unlike the scribes who derived their authority from the interpretation of the Law, Jesus spoke as one who had intrinsic authority.

The unexpectedness of Jesus' authority lies in the fact that He didn’t conform to the established religious norms. He didn’t quote other rabbis or rely on human tradition; He spoke directly from the heart of God. This was shocking to those who heard Him because they were used to teachings that were steeped in tradition and human interpretation.

When we reflect on this, it challenges us to consider how we respond to Jesus' authority in our own lives. Are we willing to submit to His word, even when it challenges our traditions, our understanding, or our comfort?

Supporting Scripture:

Matthew 28:18 (NLT): "Jesus came and told his disciples, 'I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.'"

Here, Jesus declares His universal authority, affirming that His power is not just over religious matters but over all of creation. The word exousia is used again, underscoring that His authority is absolute and all-encompassing.

As A.W. Tozer once said, “The essence of idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him.” When we confine Jesus to our expectations, we limit His authority in our lives. But when we recognize His true authority, we are set free to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

II. The Unexpected Compassion of Jesus

The second unexpected aspect of Jesus we’ll explore is His compassion. Jesus often reached out to those whom society had rejected or overlooked. This was surprising to many who expected the Messiah to associate with the powerful and the influential. One of the most powerful examples of this is found in Mark 1:40-42 (NLT):

"A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. 'If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,' he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be healed!' Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed."

In this passage, Jesus does something completely unexpected—He touches a leper. According to Jewish law, touching a leper would make a person ceremonially unclean. Yet, Jesus, moved with compassion, chooses to touch the man and heal him.

The Greek word for compassion here is splagchnizomai, which literally means to be moved in one's inner being, or to be deeply moved. Jesus wasn’t just intellectually aware of the man's suffering; He felt it deeply and responded with action.

This challenges us to consider how we respond to those in need. Are we willing to be moved with compassion, even when it’s inconvenient or when it challenges societal norms?

Luke 7:13 (NLT): "When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. 'Don’t cry!' he said."

Here, we see Jesus moved with compassion for a widow who had lost her only son. This compassion led Him to raise the son from the dead. The word compassion here again points to a deep, gut-level empathy that moves Jesus to action.