What If Jesus Doesn’t Do What You Expect?
It’s easy to trust God when life is going according to plan. When the prayers are answered, the job comes through, the healing happens, the relationship gets restored—faith feels natural. But what happens when Jesus doesn’t do what you expect?
That question hits deep. And for most Christians, it’s not just a theological puzzle—it’s a personal one. What do you do when you believed God would move… and He didn’t? When you expected victory, but pain showed up instead?
In Luke 19, as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the crowd cheered, waved palm branches, and cried out, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38). But just a few days later, some of those same voices shouted, “Crucify Him.” Why? Because Jesus didn’t meet their expectations.
They wanted a political savior—a conqueror to overthrow Rome. But Jesus came not on a war horse, but a donkey—a symbol of humility and peace. He came not to liberate a nation temporarily, but to save the world eternally. He came to transform hearts, not just circumstances.
And yet, how often are we like that crowd?
We ask Jesus to fix the leaks in the roof of our lives: heal the sickness, stop the struggle, open the door. But Jesus sees something deeper. Maybe He isn’t ignoring your request—maybe He’s rebuilding your foundation.
See, when Jesus wept over Jerusalem, He said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes” (Luke 19:42). Their expectations blinded them to the true peace He was offering. And if we’re not careful, our unmet expectations can do the same.
Disappointment with Jesus can lead to distance. We go from front-row worship to back-row wondering. From faith to frustration. From trust to doubt. And for some, even to rejection.
But Jesus doesn’t push us away in our pain. He doesn’t scold us for not understanding. He weeps with us. And He invites us to trust Him—especially when we don’t see the full picture.
Because faith doesn’t mean we always understand. Faith means we trust His plan, His timing, and His character.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord (Isaiah 55:8). And Romans 8:28 promises that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.”
So what if Jesus not meeting your expectations is actually His invitation? An invitation to deeper trust, deeper surrender, and deeper transformation?
Maybe today isn’t about getting the fix you hoped for. Maybe it’s about being rebuilt into someone who trusts Jesus, not just for what He can do, but for who He truly is.
Have you ever experienced a time when God didn’t answer your prayer the way you expected?
How did it affect your relationship with Him?Read Luke 19:41-42. Why do you think Jesus wept over Jerusalem? What does this reveal about His heart when we don’t understand what He’s doing?
What are some areas in your life where you may be asking Jesus to “fix the roof” rather than rebuild the foundation?
How can you invite Him into that deeper work?Isaiah 55:8 says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts.” What does it practically look like to trust God’s plan and timing, especially when things don’t make sense?
What’s one step you can take this week to grow your trust in Jesus—