What a world we live in. Expectations rarely match reality. In fact, one of the first things I learned as a lawyer was to make sure that I never said or wrote anything to a client that might make the client's expectations of the final results exceed what was actually most likely to happen. That way, the client would never be shocked by the result. And it might turn out that the result will be a pleasant surprise, which is always better than a rude awakening.

Apparently, this philosophy is not followed in all professions. Take the fast-food industry for example. The Advertisers used by some of these Companies can really make their food look wonderful on TV. But the reality of what is served in these restaurants does not always meet the expectations generated by the commercials.

Perhaps you're thinking that my problem arises because I have described such establishments as "restaurants" - a term which, in itself, improperly sets my expectations at an unreasonable level. Or, perhaps you think it would be more correct for me to be directing my displeasure at the Advertising Companies who, in return for big money, create illusions of what the fast-food "stores" [is that a better word?] are selling. Or maybe you think that I have no reason for being upset at anybody about this because everybody knows that Advertising is all about creating illusions that make it likely that people will buy the advertised product; and so, when reality doesn't measure up to the expectations they have created, well, that's just the way it is. Fair enough.

Still, sometimes the reality of the product I am served is SO far removed from the illusion of the advertisement that it makes me wonder who got it wrong - the restaurant workers or the advertisers. Several days ago, I found my mouth watering for a special sandwich I had seen advertised. When I placed my order at the drive-through, they asked if I wanted the "combo". I responded, "No, just the plain sandwich". I picked up the order and drove home, eagerly anticipating the wonderful tastes to come.

Can you guess what I found when I opened the bag? If you guessed, "The sandwich without any of the dressings that appeared in the advertisement because you told them 'plain' sandwich", I would say, "That's a reasonable guess, and if that was what happened, I would blame, and laugh at, myself."

But that was NOT what happened; the store did NOT deliver to me an "undressed" sandwich. Instead, the ONLY thing they gave me was the meat. No pickles, no lettuce, not even any bread. I got NOTHING but a chunk of nicely cooked meat. How is that a sandwich at all, much less the beautiful, delicious-looking, mouth-watering sandwich which this Company spent LOTS of money advertising? Talk about a rude awakening! Talk about not living up to expectations! Talk about "Fake News"! Is this what our world has come to?

You could say that Jesus was in the advertising business. The "product" He advertised was an eternal life of following Him, and being adopted into the Royal Family of The King of Kings. It's kind of hard to paint too nice a picture of that, huh?

But, along with that, Jesus never hid the fact that following Him comes at a price - trouble, persecution, suffering, service - something that today's professional Advertisers would advise to avoid mentioning in your sales pitch. In fact, Jesus advised His prospective "buyers" to "count the cost" of following Him - a cost which, by the way, is everything you are and everything you have, including your very life. Jesus says that this is a price we would be happy to pay if we really understood what He is offering.

And, by the way, what kind of advertiser are you? I mean, you do realize that you are a part of the "advertising campaign" for a life of following Jesus, don't you? That's not just the preacher's job.

With Jesus, the reality always far and away exceeds the expectations. In today's world, isn't that a pleasant surprise?