Against the Flow

Want to hear one of the most radical and counter-religious statements Jesus made? It's a statement that goes against the gentle and peaceful Jesus so many Christians and churches put the spotlight on.

He said, "Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! No, I came to bring a sword." (Matt. 10:34)

Jesus came to go against the norm. Jesus came to be a counter to the religious establishment. Jesus came to upset the religious applecart. Religion was walking one way. Jesus walked the other. Jesus walked against the flow of religion.

And in so doing, he upset the religious establishment. He made the local religious leaders mad. So mad they came up with a plan to get rid of him.

BUT...Jesus changed the world. Jesus changed lives. Jesus created a sense of awe in what He did and what He taught.

What are the implications of this to us at Meadow? What are the implications of this and the teaching series and content I bring each Sunday? What are the implications for the way we do music? Or the way we create an experience where we can encounter God? Or the way we do kids ministry or youth ministry? Or even the way we pursue benefiting the community?

Let's be like Jesus.