He was supposed to claim his kingdom, throw out the Romans, sit on the throne of his father, David, return Israel to most-favored nation status. Mary was supposed to be highly honored among women. The disciples were supposed to sit on twelve thrones and rule over the twelve tribes of Israel…
But…here he was…flogged and crucified, features swollen and bloodied beyond recognition, Mary broken and weeping, disciples looking on from a distance, the people sobered and watching…the soldiers gambling for his clothes, the chief priests and elders smug and triumphant, mocking, gloating…in just five days high expectations of national and individual dreams turned to blood and dust, abandonment and betrayal. When Jesus acknowledged that he was the Messiah, the people, and especially his disciples, expected him to do what any red-blooded Messiah would do. But God, this is NOT what you promised. Did Jesus even try to manage their expectations?