This is Spoken Gospel.

We are dedicated to seeing 
Jesus in all of scripture.

In each episode, we see what’s 
happening in a Biblical text

and how it sheds light
on Jesus and his gospel.

Let’s jump in.

A remnant, a small faithful band of Israelites, 
is finally coming home from exile in Persia.

This isn’t just a political event initiated by Persia  
but a sign that Israel’s relationship 
with God is being restored.

God promised Abraham that his 
descendants would live in Israel  

and grow into a nation whose 
population couldn’t be counted.

And like Israel’s first 
immigration to the land began  

with a long census, so does 
the immigration led by Ezra.

But this story of exile and return is 
ultimately about unmet expectations.

Compared to the hundreds of thousands counted 
by Moses, only a few thousand return with Ezra.

And some of them can’t even prove
their families are a part of Israel at all.

But there is still hope.

Zerubbabel’s family tree
has remained strong.

He is a descendant of both
Abraham and King David.

God promised one of David’s sons
would reign next to his temple forever.

If anyone can restore Israel, it would be Zerubbabel!

In hope, Zerubbabel and his company offer
sacrifices and lay a new foundation for God’s temple.

Perhaps they wondered if repeating 
the sacrifices of their ancestors  

means God will again fill the 
temple and establish their nation.

But as the people celebrate their completion of the
temple’s foundation, the older men weep just as loudly.

They remember this foundation is 
nothing like the temple that Solomon built.

Like the disappointing census, this lesser temple is
another of Israel’s unmet expectations.

As promising as Israel’s 
return, Zerubbabel’s leadership 

and the new temple are, God’s 
promises have not come true yet.

[music]

Despite Israel’s disappointment, God still 
upheld the promises he made to Abraham and David.

In fact he would use their unmet 
expectations to bring about what he promised.

Israel was right to celebrate God’s 
goodness even in disappointment.

Even when Jesus came to finally end Israel’s exile and rebuild
her temple in himself, it’s less impressive than expected. 

Jesus didn’t return from Egypt with 
hundreds of thousands but his one family.

And like many families in Ezra, 
Jesus’ lineage was suspect.

He came from a backwater town and was 
born under suspicious circumstances.

In fact, his genealogy included Gentiles.

Jesus was not the King from David’s family tree that
Israel expected. And Jesus’ life and rule
was not what Israel expected either.

His own disciples couldn’t believe 
that Jesus planned to die on a cross.

Yet, by rising from the dead, Jesus showed that
God’s love endures even through unmet expectations.

Even though he was the Savior they did not 
expect, he was their greatest Temple and King.

Like Zerubbabel he rebuilt God’s 
temple not only in himself but in us.

We are now filled with his Presence and the remnant of
a new Kingdom, a new Israel specially claimed by God.

In Jesus, unmet expectations become
glorious surprise endings.

And just like no one expects much from a 
mustard seed, we as a new people of God  

will grow larger and experience more of God’s 
presence than anyone in Israel thought possible.

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see
the God who is faithful through unmet expectations.

And that you will see Jesus who turns unmet 
expectations into glorious surprise endings.