The title of the article quickly caught my attention: “Jesus Disappoints Everyone.” John Koessler tells of a friend who, when beginning his seminary training and expecting to become a pastor, expressed great enthusiasm, thinking the experience was going to be “cool.” But several years later, the disposition of that same person had drastically changed. Somehow, things were not turning out to be as “cool” as he expected.
Koessler comments: “Those who serve Christ are prone to disappointment as anyone else. If the Gospels are any indication, we might even say that disappointment is a certainty.” Then he proceeds to an example of disappointment with Jesus—John the Baptizer (Matthew 11.3).
Where do disappointments come from? Primarily from unmet expectations. And many times we do create certain expectations of Jesus, but we base them on our own agenda—our desires and preferences—not according to Jesus’ agenda. And when we do not get what we want (that is, Jesus fails us!), we are outraged, distressed, disappointed. We may even have a crisis of faith. No wonder we read of disciples who, even after being with him for a time, chose to quit in their pursuit of Christ and desert him (John 6.66).
Many have the mistaken notion that the gospel is only about Jesus being my friend, who will be there for me when I call, who is there to make me feel better when I am down, who keeps me company when I am lonely. There is an element of truth to this, but Koessler gives us an important reminder: “Jesus came for us, but that does not mean that he came to please us. Jesus came for us, but he does not answer to us. He will not subject himself to our agenda, no matter how good that agenda might be.”
Indeed, Jesus knew there was only one person he should please, the heavenly Father: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work” (John 4.34 ESV). And Jesus’ focus remained intact throughout his earthly ministry. No wonder the Father so easily declared, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 17.5 NIV).
When we choose to follow Jesus, we will surely encounter disappointment. When we do, either we can question the Lord’s actions and demand an explanation, or we can review our expectations of him and make the necessary steps to adjust to his agenda. Let Jesus be the Lord of our expectations.
—Keith Jainga