Introduction
When we left Jesus yesterday He had just announced the appointment of twelve leaders. I am not sure that everyone was happy with the final decision. What about the women disciples? Yes, there were many women who were not just Christ-followers, but also disciples. In Luke 8:1-3 we have a list of several of these women. As Jesus looks into the faces of those not chosen as well as those who were chosen, I am sure He saw many different expressions. Maybe everyone expected Peter, but how about Matthew, the tax collector? Surely some people had a hard time with this selection. After all, Matthew was a traitor to his people and hated — how could Jesus choose him? And how about the fact that eleven of the twelve were from the region of Galilee? As Jesus looks out over this large crowd of disciples he shares the following…
Reading [You can read as much as you can, depending on your availability]
Luke 6:20-26
Meditating [Use these questions to start your thinking]
- As Jesus preaches this “ordination sermon,” who is He looking at (Luke 6:20)? How do you visualize this?
- What is Jesus modeling for us about leadership?
- What was Jesus saying that leaders should expect from the ministry?
- What other questions do you still have?
Sharing: Text ONE of your answers to the questions above to your team. Each team should post a sharing from a team member in the comments below.
Jesus turns His gaze toward the large crowd of disciples, who are most likely sitting on the ground, as He announces the leadership team. He then gives an incredible teaching on the expectations. Why expectations? I think one of the things that puts us in the most trouble is our own false expectations. We enter into a relationship or a new job with certain expectations, but soon we realize that the other person or boss has different expectations and we get discouraged because we did not really know what to expect. Jesus foresees this problem with leadership and addresses it right from the beginning.
A key principle in leadership is to state clearly your expectations. Let me help you unwrap the eight expectations of a leader that Jesus lays out to His team.
Expectation #1: Expect to experience poverty in the ministry, times when you will not have a dime to your name. And when these times happen, remember that you are blessed (Luke 6:20). Poverty is a gift from the Father to keep you God-dependent — don’t reject it, but embrace it.
Expectation #2: Expect to experience riches in the ministry, times when God will open the flood gates and pour out so much on you that you will have a tendency to think you deserve what He is giving you. But be careful in these times of wealth, so you do not forget Who is blessing you (Luke 6:24).
Expectation #3: Expect to experience hunger in the ministry, times when you will have nothing to eat with your stomach growling. When that happens, remember that you are blessed (Luke 6:21). Hunger is a gift from the Father so you remember that it is not by bread alone that a leader lives, but by every word that proceeds out of His mouth (Matt. 4:4).
Expectation #4: Expect to experience being full in the ministry, having times when you will eat like a king, and at times with kings and rulers. But be careful that when those times come that you do not forget the Bread of Life that satisfies your hunger forever (Luke 6:25).
Expectation #5: Expect to experience pain in the ministry, times when you will weep deeply. When that happens, remember that you are blessed (Luke 6:21). Pain is a gift from the Father to cause you to remember that we do not weep as those of this world — without hope — because we have an anchor for the soul in Jesus (Heb. 6:19).
Expectation #6: Expect to experience laughter in the ministry, times when you will laugh until your stomach hurts at the funny things that will happen as you make disciples. But be careful when those times come that you do not forget to share in the pain of others and bear each others’ burdens (Luke 6:25).
Expectation #7: Expect to be hated, ostracised, insulted, and scorned in the ministry for the name of Christ. There will be times when you will experience persecution for the name of Jesus and when that happens, rejoice because you are blessed (Luke 6:22-23). Persecution is a gift from the Father and a promise for all those who will live like Jesus (2 Tim 3:12).
Expectation #8: Expect to experience being spoken well of in the ministry, when people will praise you for what God has done in and through you. But be careful when those times come that you don’t receive the glory (Luke 6:26), because God shares His glory with no man (Isa. 48:11).
Those who are true disciples of Jesus are promised tough times on this earth. Why? The answer is simple — hard times of poverty, hunger, tears, and persecution come because they are what the Father uses to mold us and shape us into the image of His dear Son, Jesus. The Father’s job in your life is to make you like Jesus (Rom. 8:29). My job and yours is to simply submit to the Father and allow Him to transform us. Share this with a friend today. Discuss your expectations in life and compare them with the expectations of a true disciple.
What is Jesus modeling for us about leadership?
– For me, Jesus shows the way of evaluating the ministry that I am served in to see if it’s Gospel – centered or not. Hardships and difficulties will happen. What matter is your faith and whether you choose to continue put faith and trust in Jesus through those trials. At the same time, during prosperous period in the ministry, do we still rely on God and give praise to Him for what he did, or do we seek our own glory. Disappointing happened when our expectations entering a ministry don’t match with God’s expectations. Therefore, we need to be always rely on God in whatever ministry we are serving Him, for He is our strength.
It sucks but it’s pretty clear that Jesus is preparing the disciples for a rough time ahead of them. He calls them blessed in their differing pains for the sake of the gospel, and we should have the same mindset. And like bumble said on the website, they’d probably get immediate pushback. After all, they weren’t exactly the smartest religiously or most prominent or richest. But either way, Jesus blesses them and also gives a warning with his woes. He warns against a comfortable lifestyle that seeks man’s approval, since that isn’t the way the disciples are to walk.
I’ve read the Beatitudes many times but after today’s passage, knowing the background and context I’m seeing it in a new light. It seems as though Jesus was talking to those that were not chosen to be part of the 12. He was using this opportunity to encourage the “have nots.” He wanted to remind them what they do have are rewards and treasures in heaven. In the same way, so often we focus on what we don’t have rather than what we do have and what we do have in Jesus is the most important thing.
Jesus pronounced a blessing on those people who are poor, hungry, weeping, and hated. there is something radical here. From the world’s standards those are the very people who are not blessed. We would say that the rich, full, happy and liked are the ppl who have been blessed. Ultimately, the question is…Will you be happy with the world’s riches or will you hold out for a greater treasure, namely, Jesus Christ?