The Power of Expectation 

He had to go through Samaria on the way. John 4:4 NLT

The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” John 4:25

If you’ve lived long enough on earth I’m pretty sure you would have experienced some form of a failed expectation. In my life, I have seen a bit too much of this lol. If you are a believer, there’s also the tendency to question the word – where it says the expectations of the righteous shall not be cut short. If you have ever questioned, you’re not alone. I think having those experiences are part of our training curriculum, but we’ll confirm when we get to heaven. 

On a more serious note, one of the impacts of failed expectations is disappointment and pain. As humans, we have a natural inclination to withdraw from situations that cause disappointment or pain. You don’t have to tell anyone to take their hands off a hot object or out of the fire. Even a child would withdraw instinctively. When we have experienced several failed expectations, subconsciously most of us withdraw from setting expectations. When you don’t have expectations, you cannot be disappointed or hurt. It’s a safety net, but that safety keeps us from receiving miracles and breakthroughs. 

In our text for today, the bible said Jesus HAD TO go through Samaria. This is it was required for Him to go through Samaria, He needed to go through Samaria. The question is why? Why was it required for Him to go through? 

The Samaritan woman was having a conversation with Jesus at the well and she asked Him a question. Jesus answered. Maybe she didn’t understand the answer He gave so she said, you know what? I may not understand what you’re saying or agree, but that’s fine, I know the Messiah will come, and when He comes, He will explain everything to us (paraphrased). 

Two very important lessons from the Samaritan woman’s response to Jesus: 

1. Expectations shape our reality: “I know the Messiah will come”,  No questions asked, she knew. She was not in doubt, it was a settled expectation. I may not know when, I may not know how, but one thing I am sure of is that the Messiah will come. The Samaritan woman lived in expectation, she did not just read about the Messiah, she expected Him to show up. That expectation which was once invisible & intangible eventually became a reality. 
2. Preparation is proof of expectation. “he will explain everything to us.”: In anticipation of her meeting with the Messiah, she prepared her questions. She needed clarification, she had questions that bugged her mind and she had come into a place of rest knowing that when (not if) the Messiah comes, He will give her answers and help her understand better. 

What was the result of her expectation? Jesus did show up, and Jesus the Messiah brought the answers she needed. Her expectation pulled Jesus into her life, her expectation brought Jesus to Samaria. No wonder when she discovered this was the Messiah, the one she’s been expecting, she did not hesitate to spread the news. She could not contain her excitement, the one she’s been expecting was finally here. 

The Lord said to my heart, one woman pulled me into Samaria with her expectation. I had to go to Samaria because she was expecting me. Do you expect me to show up? When you pray for healing, do you expect to see it? When you call for help, do you expect me to show up? Sometimes we pray for help and then get up only to spend the next few hours worrying or brainstorming, trying to figure out a solution because the truth is even though we’ve prayed, we sometimes do not expect the Messiah to show up for us in that situation. 

Today I believe God wants us to press past the disappointment of failed expectations and believe again. He wants us to expect Him to show. Expect to see breakthroughs, expect to see answers to your prayers, expect favor, expect encounters. It’s time to see the word manifest, expect it, and prepare for it. Here’s a word to hold on to as you allow your expectations to rise again 

For surely there is a reward, and thine expectation shall not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18 KJV

You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed. 

Proverbs 23:18 NLT

Finally, we see that the manifestation of her expectation did not just change her life, it impacted her city. Many people came to know Jesus, salvation came to Samaria. All of this began with one woman expecting to meet her Messiah. God says to tell you, the fulfillment of your expectation will impact many, don’t give up on it, expect the answers and breakthroughs, your expectation shall not be cut short.

God bless you