Surprising but not unexpected

Do you remember the TV series called 'Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected'?  These were stories with a twist in which the 'unexpected' always happened, leaving the viewer in a state of surprise even though all the clues had always been there in the story as it unfolded.

The events we celebrate at Easter make it the season of the 'unexpected', even though all the clues are there.  The prophets, from Isaiah to Malachi, had foretold these events.  Jesus himself had told the disciples of them and God had long promised to bring salvation to his people but, when it happened, it was still unexpected!

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday he did so, not on a great charger as the people had expected, but on a young colt as a symbol of his humility.

The way in which Jesus broke the bread and offered the wine at the Passover Supper in the upper room was not how the disciples had expected it would be.

The arrest, suffering and crucifixion of Jesus was not expected by the disciples.  They had hoped things would have turned out differently - and, anyway, surely Jesus would have been released in preference to the villain Barabbas?

The silence of Jesus before the Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate was unexpected.  There was no great speech or self justification from Jesus, just submission to his Father's will.

And Jesus’ dignity on the cross was not what his detractors had hoped for.

But the greatest unexpected event was the cry of Mary as she rushed from the empty tomb to say that Jesus had risen from the dead.  Even though Jesus had told his followers that the Son of Man would rise on the third day, they had not dared to believe it.  As those disciples walked along the Emmaus Road, they did not expect to meet the risen Lord.

We have celebrated Easter many times.  We have re-lived the pain of the Passion and the enjoyed the glory of the Resurrection. So, how are we approaching this Easter?

Is it in the full knowledge and expectation that we will meet again with the power of the risen Christ who brings us forgiveness and salvation, or will we be caught unawares, surprised by the fact the Son of God died for us all and broke the powers of evil and death as he rose from the tomb?

The only surprise that we should have this Easter is the surprise that is expressed in the lines of the Wesley hymn: ‘And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Saviour's blood?/ Died he for me who caused his pain ? / For me who him to death pursued?/ Amazing love!/ How can it be / that thou my God shouldst die for me?'

It’s surprising but not unexpected.  'For God so loved the world that he gave his only son...' (John 3:16)

by Graham Clarke.