God has uniquely created mankind with the ability to think and reason, which enables us to make choices and decisions. But since the beginning of time, we have been drawn to make decisions based on what we think is best or what will benefit us the most, rather than seeking God’s will. Because of this, we sometimes miss God.

Jesus experienced this tendency in His people from the time He was born until the time He died and was resurrected. The people of God leaned to their own understanding, and many missed the very Messiah they’d been waiting and longing for because God didn’t send Him as they’d thought.

The Israelites were expecting a great warrior king type of Messiah to deliver them from Roman rule. They just could not accept the lowly estate in which Jesus entered the world. He wasn’t born in the right way or in the right place to suit them.

Jesus was born to a young teenage virgin in a cave stable among the animals, and his first bed was their manger. Not quite the way a king should mark his arrival. Besides that, it was despised shepherds who were the first to see Jesus and announce His birth.

Jesus did not grow up in a palace, but in the home of a carpenter. A time came when He had no place to even lay His head. People just did not know what to make of Him. He did miracle after miracle, yet many still did not believe in Him and looked for ways to bring Him down.

As Jesus was nearing the end of His life, many had started to follow Him, thinking maybe He could be the long-awaited Messiah. But again, they had their own idea of what Messiah would look like. They were expecting that great king who would conquer the Romans and bring political freedom to them, not one who would die on a cross.

But that’s not why Jesus came. He did not come to bring only earthly freedom, but primarily to set us free spiritually and be our Savior. But again, the people of God leaned to their own understanding. As Jesus rode into town on a donkey, the crowds came out to cheer Him on. But it was only a matter of days before they changed their tune.

When the Israelites realized that Jesus was not the conquering king they’d hoped He was, they were quick to reject Him. As Pontius Pilate offered to set one prisoner free, they all began shouting for Barabbas. When asked what should be done with Jesus, their cry was, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Not much has changed. There’s nothing new under the sun. We still want our own way. We still lean to our own understanding instead of seeking God’s will. We are still quick to reject Jesus when He doesn’t answer our prayers just as we expect. We still have a hard time surrendering to the One who loved us enough to die for the forgiveness of our sins.

But no matter what we do or how much we reject Him, Jesus will always continue to love us, draw us, and forgive us. He’s waiting for us to fully surrender to Him and accept Him as our Savior, the Messiah sent from God. Let’s start putting Jesus first over our own way.

Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 845-482-5300.