Jesus Is A Revolutionary

Usually when someone says, “I like to hear more of that from the pulpit,” –what they suggest is more sermons on fundamentals, or more detailed invitations, or turn up the heat with some hell fire and brimstone! So, I was a little surprised to hear the suggestion, “I like to hear more about Jesus as a revolutionary.” The suggestion was not to present Jesus as the Che Guevara of first century Palestine but rather the counter-cultural divine dignitary that regaled a kingdom not of this world! Jesus is a revolutionary… and the revolution is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus came not to revolt against the status quo but rather to reveal the grace and truth of the Father. Grace that defeats complacency, apathy, self-righteousness and spiritual arrogance. Truth that uncovers hidden motives of greed, self-centeredness and lust. Jesus came to break down the walls that separated men and to build bridges that kept open the lines of communication and delivered a needed supply of love.

However, in the heat of this battle the casualties of war would be those who love this world (1 John 2:15-17) not some easily identified army of darkness. Many would be from among us and many would be those who claimed to be at the head of the battle. This revolution is about turning things upside down (Acts 17:6) with paradoxes the world counts as foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18) but revolutionizes the world of the believer. Such revolutionaries become strangers to the world (1 Peter 1:1), no longer molded by its dictate or conformed to its image (Romans 12:2). They render unto Caesar that which is his and to God what belongs to Him (Mark 12:17). They are radically committed to being in the world but not of the world (John 17:14, 15) so that they can be light in darkness and love when hate prevails.

So, are you in the battle? How has Jesus revolutionized your world? Has your faith called you to be a counter-cultural warrior armed with love and a message of reconciliation? O, as we sing, “the battle belongs to the Lord”… but the question remains –is Jesus revolutionary in your life or is He just a Sunday morning pal eager to give you five good suggestions on how to improve the quality of your life? -DAN