Radical Christianity: Becoming Like Jesus
Radical Christianity sounds intimidating until you understand how Jesus ministered. His ministry didn’t fit the norm. When people look at you as a disciple of Jesus, do they see a fearless and radical follower of God’s Son? Maybe you’ve never considered what that means. Some people even ask, “What is radical Christianity or Was Jesus radical?”
People hope Christians are different. They look for ‘say what they mean and mean what they say people.’ In their minds, that’s a radical Jesus follower.
You may even categorize this writing as one of many radical articles about Jesus without taking a deeper look. So please stay with me!
Radical Christianity: Why People Describe Jesus As Radical
Starting any ministry is difficult and growth doesn’t happen overnight. Jesus changed jobs quickly. He goes from working as a carpenter to choosing a team of 12 to change the world for God’s kingdom. That’s pretty radical. Jesus had all the skills necessary to run a ministry. Foremost, He saw the hearts of people before seeing anything else.
He knew that one would betray Him which was part of the overall plan. Jesus didn’t have a 5, 10, or 15-year action strategy with goals laid out on paper. The Holy Spirit was His go-to person for every decision. He actively pursued what He needed to go forward and never looked back. He expected men to leave their families and jobs. They did. There was no pretense about Him or fluff.
One of his first on-the-job experiences accounted by Luke in Chapter Luke 4:18-19 was to read scripture in His hometown synagogue in Nazareth. He read the first 2 verses of Isaiah 61, His ministry statement. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Can you imagine how irritated the religious leaders were when he sat down? Then He stood up and said, “this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears”. Huh?
Who was this radical carpenter proclaiming He was the Messiah prophesied by the prophet Hosea? No doubt, they were downright muffed at this brazen boy who they presumed didn’t have a fraction of the knowledge they had about God! Angry, they attempted to run Him off a cliff.
Jesus’ Radical Teachings
The mucketymucks got their feathers ruffled. Jesus moves right on to His next task to complete His ministry outline. He heals the sick, presents scripture in a way like no one else ever had, and lays down new guidelines far different from the Old Testament.
Jesus challenged the real meaning of love when a woman was caught in adultery John 8:3-11). He tackled the issue of uncleanness which was the heart (Mathew 15:1-20), and other Pharisee beliefs rooted in elder traditions. Jesus used parables and examples to show the difference between reading scripture and putting its message into practice. So how did that work out?
It didn’t go so well with people comfortable in their positions of prestige and authority. That’s why Jesus butted heads with the ruling religious leaders from day one. His ministry points to a hurting world thick with sin, sickness, and people bound by religion. Jesus had a social media presence of followers fed up with fake religious leaders. His fame spread like wildfire.
Radical Christianity: Was Jesus Fearless?
From the onset of His ministry, Jesus knew His job description. His determination is comparable to a bulldog that doesn’t lose at fighting. He had a whole world to save so that meant the temptation of fear would not swerve Him off course. Jesus stayed grounded in scripture. He meditated on the living word to feed His spirit so He could minister effectively. Anyone who ministers to people today does the same thing.
Jesus spent an eternity preparing for this event so He knew the challenges and confrontations. He was in a human body that needed rest, but He revived Himself by praying, contemplating His next steps, and listened for the Holy Spirit to direct Him. Yes, He was and is God’s Son but He depended on the Holy Spirit the same as any Christian. Seems like that makes you and me just as radical.
He slept fearlessly in a boat during a raging storm. The disciples were frantic because they knew how quickly the sea takes you captive. His rag-tag crew gripped with fear, wanted to bail out. Jesus kept telling them throughout his short three-plus years, “Do not fear.” He knew the imprisoning hold fear has on anyone completing God’s plans.
Jesus showed no fear when He ran the money changers out of the temple. He prepared for His crucifixion and healed an ear of a slave removed by a sword. Pilate’s authority didn’t scare Him or anyone determined to bring Him harm. Love and His commitment to His ministry verse in Isaiah 61 guided His thoughts and actions.
Radical Christianity: Living In a Violent World
Christians don’t want others to think they belong to radical groups that focus on hate. You’re a radical Christian if you actually live what scripture implies. Be on the watch for wealth, things, or fear that dim your Christian beliefs so you become lukewarm. A life without risks is comfortable and soothing—and above all safe.
Max Lucado in his book, “Fearless”, says this about fear. “The fear-filled cannot love deeply, love is risky. They cannot give to the poor. Benevolence has no guarantee of return. The fear-filled cannot dream wildly. What if their dreams sputter and fall from the sky? The worship of safety emasculates greatness. No wonder Jesus wages such a war against fear.”
Life in Jesus’ day was violent too. His ministry seemed radical because He lived The Gospel message to help followers face the unknown.
Radical Christianity: Becoming Like Jesus
Christians can take apart scripture to find its meaning and reduce it to nothing but words. That’s what the Pharisees did. They took the heart out of the message. If they aren’t careful, Christians can transform the Gospel into a puny, watered-down version of the truth.
Whatever you do for Jesus seems backward to onlookers. You and I read from a different script because our beliefs are authored by God. Others may have nothing, but you live comfortably and have plenty of food, clothing, and basic essentials. How do you actually love your neighbor? Is it too scary to offer your guest bedroom to a stranger?
Radical Christianity involves taking little steps out of your comfort zone. Give a “favorite” coat to a thrift store, buy a stranger gas for their vehicle, or buy a meal for someone that’s homeless. Being radical may mean starting small.
Once you focus on how Jesus gave generously wherever He went, you can put into practice your own extreme plan. Jesus had Isaiah 61 as His blueprint for ministry. You and I are fortunate that 66 books are available to help us live radically different lives.