That said, unfair seems a rather over-used word, for those of us who are Christ-followers, in today’s vernacular.
I have rolled my eyes, shook my head, furrowed my brow and even written letters to government leaders, when I have seen and heard of unreasonable actions and inactions.
Everything from antagonism over saying Merry Christmas, seasonal light displays and whatever other acts of political correctness that get our Christian knickers in a knot.
“In this world you will have trouble.”
Jesus had different expectations on what it was to live a life as a follower of … him. He knew that those who followed him would be following a dead man walking.
His days were numbered, he knew that full well. Soon he would be praying in the Garden of Gethsemane for God to take the cup from his hands.
The long-expected Messiah was expected to be the king who would undo the injustices of the political leaders of the day. He would put everything in order … ensuring that his people would be able to take their right places in society (aka, on top).
Yet, if we look at the prophesies, we see clearly that the arrival of the Messiah was not going to be a love-fest:
“He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”
Isaiah 53:3
Not only was Jesus not creating an army, but he was actually asking something intimate of people. He was asking those who had been anticipating his arrival, who were looking for an earthly saviour, the ones who had lived a life of being unfairly treated in their society, to be humble, to confess their sins:
” … the kingdom of God is at hand:
repent you, and believe the gospel.
Mark 1:15
Jesus’ reign, as king, had little to do with power and a crown and a throne … he reigned wearing a crown of thorns, from a wooden cross, from an empty tomb. The inequity of his reign is that we sin (not just back-in-the-garden-of-Eden past tense, but today, every day in the very real present), and he died, so that we get to live an eternity.
“In this world you will have trouble.”
When Jesus said those words (above), he didn’t stop there … with a message of doom and gloom.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
His reign is in our hearts, something that those who came before Jesus never had available to them. We are not victims, we are overcomers, through the blood of Jesus. We have so much! And that which is a struggle, we do not struggle with alone.
Yes, there are things that should sadden and even outrage us. We should write, call, email and text our government officials, for we are citizens here and that is both our right and responsibility.
But, we are not victims!
We are children of the king, “and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).
“The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned
…
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.”
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
itsawonderfilledlife 