Warrior

I had an interesting conversation with someone today that got me thinking about how the world perceives Jesus. While opinions differ as to whether he was merely a prophet or divine (maybe even the son of God, as alleged) the general consensus seems to be that Jesus was a gregarious, do-gooder whose life's mission was to embrace everyone, make them feel good about themselves, and bring social harmony. That is a palatable Jesus. One who, having been flesh himself, will in the end surely have compassion on fellow do-gooders, whether they chose to accept him as Lord and saviour or not.

This not a new development. People have always had misconceptions about Jesus and his purpose. In fact, in Mathew 16, Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" To that inquiry he then, as now received a variety of answers.

Jesus himself disputes the notion that he came to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony by growing apple trees and honeybees and snow white turtle doves. Instead he says,

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."" Mathew 10:34

Those are not the words of a cuddly community organizer. They are fighting words. Jesus was not here to win a popularity contest. He came to strike a death blow to his enemy in the war for his beloved: mankind. His death on the cross was the ultimate act of kamikaze. Jesus is a warrior.

Not only does he clarify his agenda, but he calls out to the rest of us to choose a team,

"For I have come to turn 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-- a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Mathew 10:35-36

He is not asking us to kinda-like-him-be-okay-with-him, he demands all or nothing. He is the love of our lives, or he is nothing at all. Though he defeated his (and our) foe, we still get to choose. As POWs, we can allow our loving saviour to untangle us from the the things that continue to wage war against our souls and will eventually destroy us, or we can choose to go it alone. As unpopular as it is, if we to want the freedom that Christ offers, we must be willing to submit to his authority to obtain it.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30