The message of the Kingdom of God has always been and will forever be difficult to swallow. The ways of God’s kingdom are contrary and opposing to our nature. That’s why Jesus had to be the greatest “shock jock” of all time.
A shock jock is generally a speaker whose mannerism and message are typically offensive and irreverent to the culture of the listeners. I’ve realized that Jesus was the greatest of them all!
The culture of God’s kingdom was so contrary to the culture of His time that the only way it was to be initiated was through shock value. The “Sermon on the Mount,” in Matthew 5, is a great example. All the things he said were contrary to the teaching and mindset of the time.
He commenced by declaring those that were “blessed of God.” And all the ones mentioned were the opposite of who the common people and religious culture had in mind. He said blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, pure in heart, the peacemakers and those who are persecuted because of righteousness.
Here’s the problem, the categories, qualities and makeup of the people mentioned by Jesus were the complete opposite of what the people of that time would consider to be blessed and accepted by God.
At that time, Israel was under the harsh rule of the Roman Empire and was at its optimum in religious hypocrisy. There was much religious and political strife. So, in order to fit in the culture and economy of the time, people had to be the opposite of what Jesus declared…rich in “religion,” proud, seekers of revenge, opportunists, troublemakers, and those who bring persecution and trouble.
By the way, His message is more alive today than ever before. The message of the Kingdom of God is shock to our cultural mindset.
Be a shock jock with the Gospel. Go against the flow today.
