I’ve been thinking a lot about how our actions can either draw people toward Christ and His love or lead them away from His saving grace. I’m not sure that there is any middle ground. We are God’s representatives here on earth. Do our actions make people want to know more about the Christian faith or make them run in the opposite direction?
When we strive to be like Christ, we have a choice to make and it’s not always easy, because being like Christ often goes against our natural instincts. It also sometimes means putting ourselves in the firing line because we must stand against the majority. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke words that were revolutionary and which challenge our instinct for self-preservation.
In Matthew 5:43-44 He said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” To love one’s enemies was a radical act that undermined the cycles of violence and hatred that dominated human relationships. Jesus invited His followers to break free from societal norms that prioritized power and retribution, urging them to embrace humility, compassion, and forgiveness instead. This was a radical concept in Jesus’ time, and it still is today.
Jesus was undeniably radical in His teachings, actions, and approach to societal norms. His message disrupted the religious, political, and social structures of His time, challenging the status quo and calling for a transformation of the human heart. His message of love was revolutionary.
Jesus’ radicalism extended to his interactions with marginalized groups. He consistently broke with societal norms by associating with those deemed unworthy or unclean, treating them with dignity and respect.
Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman (John 4:1-26) is a good example of His regard for someone who would have been looked down upon due to ethnic and gender barriers. Jesus treated her with dignity and respect. He spoke to her and revealed spiritual truths to her, and then He sent her, forgiven, back to preach His saving grace to her friends and neighbours. She was other; she was unclean. Most religious people of His day would not have even spoken to her.
Can we say we do the same thing when we encounter people who are different from us? Do we treat all people with dignity and respect, or do we look aside when we see someone who makes us feel uncomfortable? Are we bold enough to stand up when we see someone being treated unjustly, no matter the form it may come in, or are we blinded by our own prejudices and afraid of how making a stand for what we know is right will impact our own lives?
What would Jesus do? What would Jesus want us to do?
When we follow Jesus, we are challenged to embrace a life of radical love, humility, and service to others. We are called to stand against the forces of oppression and injustice, even when it is costly. It’s not easy to love like Jesus loved. It’s not easy to stand up for those people who cannot stand up for themselves. It’s not easy to step outside our comfort zones, knowing that many people – even Christians – may question our actions, and yet, if we are to follow Jesus, that is exactly what we are called to do.
Taking it Further:
How is Jesus asking you to be radical in your own life? In what areas do you need to ask, “What would Jesus do?”
