The other morning I was reading John 8. I read about the woman who was in danger of being stoned for adultery. I read about believers claiming they have never been set free because they are descendants of Abraham. And I read Jesus’s response to all of it.
Here’s a couple snippets for context:
John 8:4 and 7
“Teacher,” they (the Pharisees) said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
John 8:31-34
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
What strikes me in these two passages (and really all passages revealing Jesus’s character) is that the man is so radical.
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines radical as:
“a: very different from the usual or traditional : EXTREME
b: favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions
c: associated with political views, practices, and policies of extreme change
d: advocating extreme measures to retain or restore a political state of affairs
the radical right”
You’ll notice the word extreme is in all four variants of the definition. This man Jesus—he was extreme. And he calls us to be extreme.
Can you imagine the reaction when Jesus lets the woman caught in adultery go free? He does not condemn, he only tells her to go and sin no more. Can you imagine the reaction when he told his believers that they are slaves to sin unless they put their trust in the Son?
These statements he makes are offensive. They challenge the fabric of society and calls for a completely different way of life and faith. This kind of faith abandons family, leads to persecution, and asks you to cut off your right arm if it’s causing you to sin. That is radical.
Jesus even asks in John 6 if these radical words offend the disciples when speaking of eating and drinking the flesh and blood of the Son. He goes on to say that these words he speaks are “spirit and life.” He does not care if he offends man.
And how many times are we afraid of offending others when we know the key to eternal life? When we know the source of joy when the world can be so depressing? How many times are our mouths sealed shut with fear of judgement?
We must pray for boldness that our faith evolves to be as radical as Christ’s. Praying for boldness means God will give you an opportunity to be bold, so if you pray for it, be ready for it.
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