The people of Jesus' time held firm expectations about the Messiah, believing they knew where He should come from, what He should do, and how He should act. They anticipated specific rituals, traditions, and words from Him, as well as particular associations and methods in His work. Their expectations extended to His signs, miracles, and even His family lineage, assuming their Savior would confirm all their preconceived beliefs. These rigid expectations blinded them to the reality of Immanuel, God with us, leading them to persecute and ultimately kill the One who did not fit their mold. This challenge of misguided expectations persists beyond that era. A person's perspective, shaped by environment, experience, and culture, often distorts spiritual truths when viewed through a carnal lens. Such distorted vision mirrors the false expectations of old, obscuring the reality of Christ. Even with access to His Spirit, which offers a clearer perspective, many remain hindered by spiritual blindness, failing to see themselves or God accurately. Unquestioned or unreliable expectations about God, prophecy, or personal standing before Him can leave one as blind as those who did not recognize their Creator when He stood among them.

Our expectations in this life far outstrip our needs. When the economy falters and our personal standard of living begins to dip, we must question whether we are truly in hardship or if we expect more than we are due. God does not promise us employment, a vehicle, a vacation, a mate, a house, or even peace. To the contrary, He warns through Paul that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. We need to expect troubles and hard times as normal, accept them as signs that God is working with us, and use them as tools for growth. Despite these challenges, we can hold confidently to great expectations for the life to come in the Kingdom of God.

In the journey of a Christian life, expectation plays a critical role in perceiving God's presence and work. Humans often see what they expect to see, shaped by their desires and education. Without conscious effort to discern and consider other perspectives, it is likely that one will overlook the spiritual realities right beside them, even when walking with Christ. As illustrated in the account of the two men on the road to Emmaus, they did not recognize Jesus walking with them because they did not expect to see Him. Their eyes were restrained, not by divine blinding, but by their own failure to anticipate His presence, despite having been taught the prophecies about the Messiah and His resurrection. Jesus rebuked them as foolish and slow of heart to believe, indicating that He expected them to identify Him through proper application of their minds and faith in the scriptures. Moreover, their hope for redemption was merely a wish, lacking the depth of trust and confident belief that true faith requires. It was only when they finally perceived who was with them that everything—the crucifixion, the resurrection, and their experiences—made sense. If one can see God involved in the circumstances of life while walking with Jesus Christ, it brings shape and form to existence in a way that would otherwise be impossible. Things begin to align, making sense and revealing their proper perspective when expectation aligns with faith in God's active presence.