I don’t know if you’ve noticed but there’s a feeling of popular protest in the air. The anger over Grenfell Tower, a growing mistrust of big business and the referendums and elections that have floored the posters.
When people sense that one kingdom no longer cares about them, they long for another.
This month celebrates the 500th anniversary (1517-2017) of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg. An act that began a revolution in the church that we call ‘The Reformation.’
Most of us have a very ‘Sunday school’ view of Jesus, generally holding a lamb for some strange reason!? He’s relegated to a sort of ‘nice guy’ status. Actually he was far more edgy than that. I love the picture ‘Che Jesus’, in the style of Jim Fitzpatrick’s iconic two-tone portrait of Che Guevara, the cuban revolutionary. Dave Burchett in his excellent book ‘When Bad Christians Happen to Good People” writes “Jesus was a total revolutionary.”
Jesus was a revolutionary in his utter rejection of the way the world worked. He rejected the “eye for an eye” philosophy that condemns individuals and nations to endless conflict. He rejected institutional religion based on rules and he so threatened the power structures of his day that “the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus death” (John 11:53). He told people to stop conforming to the status quo and mindlessly adopting the culture of the day “its gate is wide for the many who chose that way.” (Matt 7:13). He challenged them to walk a different path, a narrow path that leads to life. He came preaching about a new kingdom and a new way to live that reflected a God of grace, forgiveness and generosity. If you want a great revolutionary hymn, don’t turn to “La Marseillaise”, just read Mary’s magnificat (Luke 1:46-55)!
That’s the Jesus I follow. I don’t find him easy to follow. He challenges the way I live and think at every turn. He asks me to live as a citizen of a very different kingdom in the midst of this current one. He tells me that if I do I will find life, and that by my example I’ll help others to find it too. Life in all it’s fullness.
I suspect that in the light of the ever-growing popular outcry for change, I’m not alone in seeking a different way. I’ve found my revolution and my cause. How about you?
