Radical Proposals
Jesus was the great disrupter of the status quo. And He constantly made proposals to those around Him that were equally disruptive. Consider:
In a world that is focused on self, he said to people, "Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men." And astonishingly, people immediately left what they were doing to follow Him.
In a world that is focused on ego and power, He said that the blessed are poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek and humble, those who thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, peacemakers, and the persecuted. Who would say such a thing?
In a world focused on material possessions, He told His followers to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth and that they could not serve both God and money.
In a world focused on fear and anxiety, He said therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life but seek first my kingdom and righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.
In a world that loves to judge others, He said, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
In a world that is tired and weary, he said, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." And He says that He, God, the Master of the universe, is gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.
In a world that is fixated on getting ahead, He said that the Kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field and when a man found it, he went and sold all he had and bought that field - betting everything on that treasure.
In a world where people love to be first and great, He says, unless you become like little children and take the lowly position of a child you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
In a world that holds grudges and keeps score of wrongs, He told His followers to forgive again, and again and again. And then He forgave Peter His denial. And us - our sin.
In a world where death is final, He rose from the grave and said that we would as well.
Jesus is still the disrupter of the status quo and He desires to do so every day in our lives. His proposals are so far out as to be crazy if they were not true which is precisely why the incarnation changed everything and continues to do so as we respond to His teaching. Allow Him to disrupt your life today - and tomorrow. It is a disruption that will change the equation of your life. Accepting His proposals is truly the game changer.
Father. Thank you for disrupting my life and I invite you to do it again and again as I choose to follow You. Disrupt, change, empower and fulfill my heart's desires in ways that only you can. Amen
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