Radical:  very different from the usual or traditional.

Jesus was a Radical

Take a look at His life and see what you think.

• While the religious leaders of the day burdened the common man with heavy religious rules and regulations (Matthew 23:2 – 4), Jesus provided men with hope (Luke 4:18 – 19).

• At a time when the religious elite preened in the spotlight for public accolades (Matthew 23:5 – 7), the King lived among us as one who served (Luke 22:27).

• In a day when the wealthy and powerful controlled the governments of the world, He taught that the Kingdom of God belonged to the poor in spirit and the persecuted, and that the meek would inherit the earth (Matthew 5:3 – 10).

• While most kings would have summoned their followers to fight in their defense, He forbid them to do so (Matthew 26:51 – 54).

• The Roman government was feared by the average man of the day.  Jesus, on the other hand, considered Himself to be under a Higher Government (John 19:10 – 11).

• He prayed for the forgiveness of those who put Him to death (Luke 23:34).

The evidence is conclusive.  By anyone’s definition, Jesus was definitely a radical in His day.

We are Called to be Radicals

It stands to reason that a radical King would call His followers to be radicals as well.  Think about it.

• He calls us to seek the Kingdom of God above everything everyone else considers to be a priority (Matthew 6:24 – 33).

• He calls us to turn the other cheek in the face of oppression (Matthew 5:38 – 41).

• He calls us to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors (Matthew 5:43 – 45).

• He calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily to follow Him  (Luke 9:23).

• He calls us to become like children in order to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18:1 -4).

• He calls us to lay our lives down in service to others (Luke 22:24 – 26).

Radical!

Welcome to the New Normal

In a time when “normal” refers to one who simply follows along with the popular opinion of the day, those of us who follow Christ are called to live in the opposite spirit.  Like it or not, that will be considered radical by others. That’s okay.  Being radical is normal for those who are living in the Reign.

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