Radical stuff! At times it seems that Jesus was intentionally trying to aggravate people. Especially those who had it all or thought they knew it all. Luke 6 for example.
Jesus deliberately heals on the Sabbath. He knows he will be challenged, yet he does it anyway. I can just hear some advisers suggest he choose a different day - if his main purpose is to heal people. But was that his main purpose?
And then there was his teaching. It sure didn't sound like he was tying to make friends with those in places of power.
"Blessed are the poor, those who hunger now, who weep now, who are hated, rejected and insulted because of the Son of Man..."
"Woe to those who are rich, well fed, laugh now, and those spoken well of..."
It seems to me that Jesus was preaching a radical faith. Many of us have been taught that as followers of Christ we need to make sure we don't look like the "world." Don't smoke, don't drink, don't dance, don't wear fashionable clothing, etc. It seems to me that Jesus taught something completely different. It is not what we "get people to think of us" that sets us apart. It is what we become as we follow Jesus that sets us apart. As we allow the Spirit of God to change us, that change will be evidence enough!
And, the changes will be radical!
Jesus deliberately heals on the Sabbath. He knows he will be challenged, yet he does it anyway. I can just hear some advisers suggest he choose a different day - if his main purpose is to heal people. But was that his main purpose?
And then there was his teaching. It sure didn't sound like he was tying to make friends with those in places of power.
"Blessed are the poor, those who hunger now, who weep now, who are hated, rejected and insulted because of the Son of Man..."
"Woe to those who are rich, well fed, laugh now, and those spoken well of..."
It seems to me that Jesus was preaching a radical faith. Many of us have been taught that as followers of Christ we need to make sure we don't look like the "world." Don't smoke, don't drink, don't dance, don't wear fashionable clothing, etc. It seems to me that Jesus taught something completely different. It is not what we "get people to think of us" that sets us apart. It is what we become as we follow Jesus that sets us apart. As we allow the Spirit of God to change us, that change will be evidence enough!
And, the changes will be radical!
No comments:
Post a Comment