Expect the Unexpected

April 16, 2012 Monday Message:

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened...” Ephesians 1:18a Today, I pray that God would open our minds and the eyes of our hearts to expect the unexpected.

Outside Jesus’ tomb, Mary Magdalene was looking for Jesus but didn’t expect to find him in the garden. But when he spoke her name, “Mary,” and she answered in Aramaic, “Rabboni,” the impossible became real. She had been looking in the wrong place, a place for the dead. But her master was, unexpectedly, among the living!

On the road to Emmaus, Cleopas and his companion speak of the devastating things that had occurred in Jerusalem. These disciples lament that their Prophet had been crucified, so of course they would expect him to be among the dead. Jesus led a little small-group Bible study while they were walking, and opened their eyes to the fact that He, Jesus, was among the living.

Even the apostles didn’t “get it” at first. After fishing all night and catching nothing, the man on the shore told them to lower the nets on the RIGHT side of the boat. When the apostles did this, they couldn’t even lift the net because of the large number of fish. This could only mean one thing: Jesus! Knowing that Jesus had been crucified, the apostles weren’t looking for Jesus among the living. Now their eyes were opened, and Mr. Impulsive, Simon-Peter, jumped into the water and immediately swam to the Master. They had a wonderful reunion that morning and ate a meal together. I’ll have the fish!

So today, remember to keep an open mind to the supernatural, those miracles from heaven. Expect the unexpected, because Jesus is among the living.

Blessings to all during this time of Easter Celebration!

Norton Lawellin

I’ll be teaching “Ditch-digging,” in 2 Kings 3 this Friday at New Hope Center, 7pm.