Not What I Had Planned...

I'm studying the book of Mark with two of my best friends. In chapter 8, we find Jesus challenging his followers to take up their cross and follow him. They had been enjoying the opportunity of being front row while he taught and did miracles; he even sent them out to teach and do some healing too. He had just started sharing with them about the final phase of his ministry - the one that would take him to Jerusalem and ultimately to the cross.

Now all of the sudden, the game changes. Jesus had known all along that this was his ultimate destination, but for the disciples who had followed him, it wasn't exactly what they had in mind.

Jesus had just asked his disciples who they thought he was. Peter had made the great confession that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the long-awaited one who the Jews put their hope in. In most Jews' minds, the Messiah was expected to come in and set them free from their oppressors (Rome at that time) and restore the glory of Israel. He would be someone who would rule on this earth and have a kingdom that would, in their minds, be an earthly one. He would be a great political figure and a ruler.

But when Jesus starts to explain what's waiting for him in Jerusalem (Mark 8:34-38), it's not what Peter and the other disciples envisioned.

"Hold on, now! What do you mean you will be killed?" Peter may have said.  And then, "No Jesus! That should never happen to you!" (i.e. "No, this doesn't fit our picture of what we had in mind!") But how does Jesus, respond? "Get behind me Satan, for you do not have in mind the things of God but of man." (v. 33). Jesus was clearly telling him that he was not seeing the big picture - all that would need to happen to truly set people free. Jesus knew it would take his own death and resurrection to set mankind free. It was exactly what we needed, but it sure didn't come in a way that they expected.

Has that ever happened to you? You start out in a relationship, and things are going fine. You begin  thinking this is surely leading to "happily ever after", but then... it doesn't. One day he says, "I'm sorry, but I don't think God is calling me to marry you. We can still be friends though, can't we?" Then 6 months later you find out he's engaged to the girl he once said he could see himself with. Have you ever been there?

What about the job you set your hopes on getting - the perfect job. It pays really well, offers exciting opportunities to travel (what you've always dreamed of doing) and has a great benefits package. You get the job, and at first it's great! Just like what you thought. But, then it starts to become not at all what you were thinking it would be. It's a lot harder. You're gone for long periods of time away from home; you miss seeing your family and the hours are punishing. You can't handle sleeping in a tiny hotel room ONE. MORE. DAY. 

Was what you experienced eye-opening? Sobering? Not what you signed up for? Yeah, I've been there. I think it's at this point in the story the disciples are feeling that way too. What Jesus tells them next challenges them to rethink everything.

Jesus tells them, "If anyone wants to come after me, he must say no to himself. He must pick up his cross and follow me. If he wants to save his life, he will lose it. But if he loses his life for me and for the good news, he will save it. (v. 34-35)

It's called radical discipleship. And no, it's not always what we had planned. Sometimes it is similar, but the goal here is to do what Jesus tells his disciples to do in Matt. 6:33: "Put God's kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all of those things will also be given to you." It may mean taking on things you really didn't want to do. Volunteering to step up, when you really didn't ever see yourself doing that particular job. But if it's God who is leading, you may be surprised in the end. It may turn out to be exactly what you (and probably others, too) needed most.

In Matt. 6, Jesus is referring to the things we need for daily life. He says, "Don't focus on those; focus on me - let me lead you, and you will be really satisfied - in body, mind, and spirit."

So let Jesus lead you. He does know the way, even if it looks all wrong. Or nothing at all like you expected.

Blessings.