Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”
Luke 6:20 NIV
The Twelve had just been chosen out of a group of probably a few hundred followers, and likely a crowd of hundreds or even thousands. I can only imagine the honor and excitement they felt as they were called to the front of that crowd and stood in front of Jesus. What was going through their minds?
“Wow! I can’t believe He chose me! I wonder what this all means? I wonder what’s going to happen next?”
I’m sure it wasn’t lost on them as they looked at the others in this group and did a quick head count that they were one among twelve. Twelve! That’s a pretty significant number. The nation of Israel. Twelve tribes. By selecting them, was Jesus now telling them that they would help Him rule the nation? From nobodies to nobility. From uneducated to unprecedented. From commoners to chosen leaders. Their chests must have been puffed out with pride. Their heads must have been spinning, their minds ready to explode. Their faces must have been painted with a look of bewilderment and giddy excitement.
And then what happens? I picture the Twelve standing in front of the crowd at Jesus’ side, and then Jesus’ sits down. The Twelve take the cue and sit around Him, and soon the gathered crowd sits too, straining to hear what Jesus might say next.
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.”
Matthew 5:1-2 NIV
As if taking a pin and poking an overinflated balloon, Jesus deflated their expectations. If they thought they’d be living like kings and wielding great power, Jesus immediately reset their expectations.
What does this new kingdom you’re going to help lead look like?
Expect to be poor, humble, hungry, misunderstood, and persecuted.
I don’t know what the Twelve were expecting to hear at that moment, but it certainly wasn’t that.
“Awesome! Now we’re going to live like kings!!! Wait. What? We’re not going to live like princes? We’re going to live like paupers? Tell me again, why did you call my name? What’s in store for me? And why did I step forward? Why did I say yes?”
Are my expectations set by my own desires? Are my expectations set by others? Are my expectations set by culture? Are my expectations set by my experiences? Or…
Are my expectations set as I sit at Jesus’ feet and listen for His voice?
Are my expectations in line with His example, with His teaching, with His direction?
What am I expecting?
Following Jesus means there will be a continual adjustment in my life to the Father’s will as the Spirit aligns my attitudes and expectations with the Living Word. “Not my will, Father, but Yours be done!”
This blogpost originally appeared at: Reset: Aligning Our Expectations with the Father’s Plan – Sonlife and is based upon Sonlife’s study, Knowing Him / A 50 Day Study in the Life of Christ / Day 27