This Is NOT What I Expected

This Is NOT What I Expected

whatHave you ever come to a point in a job, a relationship, your marriage, with your children, your first semester or planting a church when you wake up one day and say, “This is NOT what I expected?”

This must have been how the disciples felt at their last celebration of Passover with Jesus. They were convinced that He was the Messiah and would soon be crowned King. They had been talking among themselves for weeks about their place in His Kingdom. Now, Jesus had been telling them what was about to unfold but they could only hear what aligned with their own dreams and expectations.

I can only imagine the confusion and bewilderment when Jesus got up after the meal and washed their feet. Their king was taking the position of the lowest servant in the house and then he admonished them to serve one another in the same way (Jn 13:1-7). Jesus goes on to reveal the one who would betray him (Jn 13:18-30) and predict Peter’s denial (Jn 13:38). Then as if that wasn’t enough, Jesus announces that he would soon leave and they couldn’t go with him (Jn 13:36).

But what probably really rocked their world was when Jesus said that “the ruler of this world is coming” (Jn 14:30). I can almost hear the questions in their minds. Why was he leaving them? Who is this ruler if it’s not Jesus? What about the Kingdom? Is he really the Messiah? Had they believed in a lie?

What brought this crisis of faith? What changed? It wasn’t Jesus. His character, message and mission remained the same. As a matter of fact they never altered even in the garden, the trial, the beatings and ultimately the crucifixion. What had to change was the disciples’ misconceptions and the expectations that were built upon them. The events of the next few days would bring a drastic recalibration for the disciples and no doubt there were some whose faith did not survive.

But Jesus knew all this and graciously provided comfort, understanding and hope in the person of the Holy Spirit.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.(Jn 14:16–17)

 

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.(Jn 14:26)

 

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (Jn 16:13)

So the next time we come up short pursuing God’s principles, plans or purpose and cry out, “This is NOT what I expected,” we should not be surprised that it’s not him, his Word, his mission or his call that has changed. What is usually necessary is a realignment of our hearts, thinking and passions to track with his. Thankfully, the Spirit of God is still in the business of helping, guiding, counseling, encouraging, comforting, enlightening and empowering the disciples of Jesus today. We serve a kind and gracious God who truly knows us.

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