Expectations and Assumptions

Gospel JN 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Jesus moved about within Galilee;
he did not wish to travel in Judea,
because the Jews were trying to kill him.
But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near.

But when his brothers had gone up to the feast,
he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret.

Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said,
“Is he not the one they are trying to kill?
And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him.
Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ?
But we know where he is from.
When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.”
So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said,
“You know me and also know where I am from.
Yet I did not come on my own,
but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true.
I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”
So they tried to arrest him,
but no one laid a hand upon him,
because his hour had not yet come.

The Jews were mislead by their own expectations.  They assumed that when "the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from."  They didn't expect the Christ to come as a young man from Nazareth.  So they held Jesus in contempt and were so threatened by His wisdom, charisma, and power that they wanted him dead.  How often am I mislead by my own expectations and assumptions?  And fears?  Lord Jesus, when I feel threatened, help me to stop and recognize the often harsh expectations that I have for myself and others.  And help me to let go of them.