Articles
The Counter-Culture Christ
Jesus was a misfit in His own day. He was not the kind of Messiah so many had been expecting. He rebuked the traditions of the Pharisees (Matt. 15:1-14) and the theology of the Sadducees (Matt. 22:23-33). What He said and did made enemies. “The world…hates Me,” He said, “because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil” (John 7:7 NASB). He was rejected. He was slandered. He was executed.
He is still counter-culture. His teaching on greed (Matt. 6:19-21, 24; Luke 12:13-21) confronts the materialism of our day. What He said about lusting for a woman in one’s heart (Matt. 5:27-28) is totally incompatible with the pornography that has so many in its grip. What He taught about the permanence of the union between a man and his wife (Matt. 19:3-9) leaves no room for the broken promises and alternate arrangements so common in our culture. His welcoming little children (Mark 10:13-16) stands in sharp contrast to the neglect and abuse of little ones in our society—and the termination of so many pre-born.
His prayer for the unity of His disciples (John 17:20-23) cannot be reconciled with the widespread division so prevalent among those who call Him Lord. His claim to be the only way to God (John 14:6) is politically incorrect.
We cannot follow in His steps and take the broad way at the same time. “He who is not with Me is against Me; and He who does not gather with Me scatters” (Matt. 12:30 NASB). We must make up our minds about Jesus and take our stand. We must decide whether we want to be popular with the world or pleasing to God.
If we truly choose Him—and all He stands for—then we too will be counter-culture. We too will be rejected. We will know what it means to be out of step and out of favor with the world. But we will have His “Well done” at the end of the road. And isn’t that enough?
