By Hannah Puckett
"What do you expect of Jesus?"
I have been reflecting on this question posed by Pastor Ryan Laughlin this past Sunday as I look ahead to Easter Sunday with eager anticipation. Palm Sunday and the image of Jesus riding in on a donkey remind us that we are expectant beings, full of needs, desires, and longings.
In our class with Bill Clark this past Friday, we fittingly were also talking about expectations–specifically the expectations we subconsciously and consciously hold in our relationships with ourselves, with others, and with God. Throughout my year in Capital Fellows, Jesus has been exposing my own expectations. As He pulls back the curtain, I stand face to face with my sin, my neediness, my disappointment, and my shame. I struggle with expecting perfection from myself and am left crippled by the shame of failing to meet the standards I set. My own insecurities and unhealthy needs in relationships can leave me plagued with disappointment when earthly community inevitably fails to satisfy the deepest desires of my heart. Jesus has ever so gently reminded me that I sometimes expect from others what only He can give me. This year, I have thanked God many times for the beautiful gift of earthly relationships, especially in my Fellows class. I also pray that He would continue to use them to expose my desperate need for Him.
This brings me back to my Savior who rides in on a donkey, to expose and correct these distorted expectations. Jesus promises to meet me in my disappointment as He seeks to correct the longings of my aching heart. I am reminded of the story of the paralytic in Matthew 9:1-8. The man and his friends desperately long for Jesus to heal him of what they all deem to be his biggest problem: his paralysis. But shockingly, Jesus first forgives the man of his sin—his deepest problem—before graciously healing him of his physical condition as well. While we wait in expectation for Jesus to “fix” all of our problems, Easter reminds us that our greatest problem is our slavery to sin–the same sin that was nailed to the cross.
As Pastor Ryan reminded us on Sunday, “Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey not to fix our problems overnight but to make us right with God.” When my identity, security, and hope are rooted in anything other than the cross and resurrection, I am bound to be disappointed again and again. I cling to the life-altering assurance that comes with Jesus declaring “It is finished” upon that cross (John 19:30) and the hope that all of my deepest longings and desires will be fulfilled when Jesus comes again.
Hannah Puckett is a member of the Capital Fellows class of 2023-24. She is from Williamsburg, VA, and is a graduate of Washington & Lee University. This year, she is working at The Market Project.
Pictures From The Week
Capital Fellows after we visited the Center for Public Justice. Thank you for hosting us, Emily and Stanley!
Eliza, Caroline, Jack, and Carter enjoying the beautiful cherry blossoms!
Megan and Jacob whipping up a delicious Commons dinner.
Know a Potential Capital Fellow?
If you know a college senior or recent graduate who should consider joining the Capital Fellows program in 2024-25, please encourage them to get in touch with us. The easiest way to express interest in the program is through our Contact Us Form. You can learn more about the program, including application deadlines, by visiting the Capital Fellows website.
About Capital Fellows. Capital Fellows is an advanced leadership and discipleship program for recent college graduates. Through graduate courses, a paid internship, one-on-one mentoring, and many leadership and community service opportunities, fellows develop and apply their gifts in real-world situations while learning to integrate a Christian worldview into all areas of life. Capital Fellows is a unique opportunity to live and work in the Washington DC area and to be an active member of a supportive community that seeks to serve the city with the love of Christ. It is also a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience in the workplace while deeply exploring God’s design for us as workers and contributors to human flourishing.
Pray for the Capital Fellows
Thank you for praying for the Capital Fellows each week!
Last week, the Capital Fellows worshipped our crucified and resurrected King, Jesus, together during Holy Week services at McLean Presbyterian Church and Capital Pres Fairfax. Please join the Capital Fellows community in thanking God for these churches—For how well they have cared for, encouraged, and supported this ministry. We do not take the ability to worship freely for granted and are eternally grateful for the partnership of this church family.
Want to pray for the current Capital Fellows in an ongoing way? Download this handy prayer guide for your phone or tablet.
About The Fellows Initiative
Capital Fellows is part of a network of similar programs across the country. This network is called The Fellows Initiative. There are 34 Fellows programs in TFI, roughly 3,000 alumni living around the world, and more Fellows programs on the way.
If you know a church in the US or Canada that would benefit from joining TFI by launching a new Fellows program. Please contact TFI by visiting their website.
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