When Assumptions Miss the Mark: Redefining Our Approach to Following Jesus

“When Assumptions Miss the Mark: Redefining Our Approach to Following Jesus”

In our journey of faith, we often carry assumptions about what it means to follow Jesus. We may believe that our commitment grants us special privileges or that our understanding of God’s will is complete. However, these assumptions can sometimes lead us astray, causing us to miss the true essence of discipleship.

Consider the story of James and John, two of Jesus’ disciples. As they approached Jerusalem, where Jesus had just foretold His impending death and resurrection, these brothers made a bold request. They asked Jesus to grant them seats of honor in His glory – one at His right hand and one at His left. Their request revealed deep-seated assumptions about power, prestige, and the nature of Jesus’ kingdom.

Jesus’ response to their request is both enlightening and challenging. He asked them, “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” In their eagerness, James and John quickly affirmed that they could. Little did they know the full implications of what they were agreeing to.

This interaction serves as a powerful reminder that our assumptions about following Jesus can often miss the mark. We may think we understand what God is calling us to, only to find ourselves in situations far beyond our expectations or comfort zones. As one commentator noted, “Following Jesus is hard. The struggles are real, and the steps of faith that you are called to take are not always easy.”

The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, provides insight into this reality. He writes, “Praise be to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). This passage reveals a profound truth: sometimes we go through difficult times not just for our own growth, but so that we can later minister to others facing similar struggles.

Our natural inclination when facing hardship is to pray for deliverance. While this is not wrong, we must also recognize that it’s often in these moments of struggle and suffering that God does His deepest work in us. When we reach the end of ourselves and cry out, “God, I can’t do this, rescue me,” we begin to truly understand who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him.

Jesus challenges our worldly notions of greatness and leadership. He tells His disciples, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:42-44).

This teaching turns our assumptions upside down. In God’s kingdom, true greatness is found in service and humility. Jesus Himself exemplified this, stating, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

Living out this counter-cultural approach to life and leadership requires a radical reorientation of our priorities and perspectives. It means constantly fighting against our tendency to “edge God out” – to rely on our own understanding or to move ahead of God’s timing out of fear or impatience.

One helpful way to visualize this shift is to consider the typical organizational pyramid, with leaders at the top and workers at the bottom. In Jesus’ upside-down kingdom, those in positions of authority are called to flip this pyramid, serving and empowering those “below” them. This applies not just in church settings, but in every area of life – at work, in our families, and in our communities.

As we navigate our daily lives, we’re challenged to approach each interaction with a servant’s heart. Whether we’re at Panera, in a business meeting, or at home with our families, we’re called to ask ourselves, “How can I serve the people around me?” This mindset shift can profoundly impact our witness and effectiveness as followers of Christ.

Ultimately, the call to follow Jesus is a call to surrender. Just as Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will, but yours be done,” we too are invited to lay down our assumptions, expectations, and desires at the foot of the cross.

This surrender is not a one-time event, but a daily choice. It’s a continual process of allowing Jesus to “wreck our expectations” and redefine what it means to follow Him. It means coming to Him with open hands and an open heart, saying, “Jesus, clear me out and open my eyes today.”

As we reflect on these truths, we’re confronted with some challenging questions:
– What assumptions in our lives have missed the mark?
– What areas of our faith need to be eradicated and redefined?
– Are we truly living a surrendered life, or are we still holding onto our own ideas of what following Jesus should look like?

The journey of faith is not always easy, but it is always worthwhile. As we learn to let go of our assumptions and embrace Jesus’ upside-down kingdom, we discover a depth of relationship with Him that surpasses anything we could have imagined.

In the end, we serve Jesus not because of what we can gain, but because He is worthy of it all. May we, like the disciples, have our eyes opened to the true nature of His kingdom, and may we embrace the beautiful, challenging call to follow Him – not on our terms, but on His.

*Image credit to YouVersion App*