I’m speaking this weekend on following God when expectations going array.  Like what happens when plans you foresaw tank, or prayers go unanswered?  Did God do something wrong, or maybe you did something wrong? 

Much of my preparation has been spent with records of Jesus’ biological family, imagining what it might’ve been like to stand in their shoes.  And as I’ve pondered the implications of following God for them, let alone believing He is somehow good, I’ve been floored.  Take for instance, premarital pregnancy, but then being told by an angel not to sweat it because you’re carrying the Savior (marked paraphrase)…or imagine watching the boy you potty trained bleed to death on a cross…these are outrageous and absolutely unprecedented.  And either Christianity is a crapshoot and we’re wasting our time on a fable, or it’s the most unexplainable miracle to hit earth, and we’re invited to partake.

If you’ve got ten minutes and the interest, I’ll paste some excerpts below.  At first, they’ll likely be a familiar, topical read, but beyond that I hope you’ll find meatier areas of engagement.  What might it have been like to be present at these scenes?  What were the costs of following, and where was the hope of gain?  Grace be with you.

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Now the son’s birth of was as follows: when His mother had been betrothed, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit And her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, " do not be afraid to take this woman as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. "She will bear a Son; He will save His people from their sins." Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US.

Not long after, an angel appeared to the dad in a dream and said, "Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for the current ruler is going to search for the Child to destroy Him." So the dad got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet: "OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON."

And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord  And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout…had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. … when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel."  His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed…and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day's journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You." And He said to them, "Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's house?"

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be"; this was to fulfill the Scripture: "THEY DIVIDED MY OUTER GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND FOR MY CLOTHING THEY CAST LOTS…standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

"Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.  "Father, glorify Your name."