Jesus Disrupts….But For Good
Many people have no-issue with the preaching and message of Jesus Christ. They see him as a great teacher that expounded many principles for success. However receiving and identifying with Jesus has one issue — it will disrupt their lifestyle, means of livelihood and status.
Men are ok with the “sowing and reaping” message of Jesus. It works. Give and it will be given unto you, good measure shaking together and running over. Facts !!!!!. “Preach on Jesus”, they yell. It is when Jesus says “leave your ways and follow mine” — na there wahala start. It is where the gbas meets the gbos. When Jesus says that His burden is light; they say “Oga carry am by yaself”.
The reason is simple — Jesus disrupts.
With Jesus you can come as you are but … YOU CANNOT STAY AS YOU ARE!!!
Jesus disrupts lifestyle, livelihood and means of living. When the gospel is rejected in most places and in the lives of people, it is is because of the disruption it brings. For example, you cannot revenge again. You cannot be troublesome anymore. You social life will take a dip because like Paul you may have to go to Arabia for a while to solidify your faith and beliefs. You have to stoop and let Jesus conquer. Like Paul, you will say “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”. You have only one direction to face — wherever Jesus directs.
Back to where we were…
The man sows and reaps. It is working. Jesus says leave all five side-chicks. The man wants to negotiate with Jesus to bring it to two. Jesus says — my standards do no change. “I am the same, yesterday, today and forever”. “If David could not negotiate standards with me, who you be?”. The man walks away. The woman is a clique / racquet that defrauds the company weekly with the amount of diesel consumed. With that means of livelihood, she affords a lifestyle that is envious and Jesus says leave that and follow me. She says “mbanu. Jesus no try am o”. Baba is one of the kingmakers of oil producing state. By some occultic activities they install the governors. And now Jesus says leave that and follow me. Baba laughs in Itsekiri mixed with Buguma swagger.
With what I have shown you can see why it is difficult to follow Jesus. You can see why you need to pray for people. You see why intercession is necessary. Because men are held down, by many things — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
2 Corinthians 4:4 New Living Translation
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
When Zacchaeus met Jesus. Something had to give. His lifestyle and his means of livelihood. He repented and changed the way he conducted business. He forgot about who he was because he had met someone with something he longed for — peace, contentment and eternal life.
But let me introduce you to another set of people.
Acts 19:24–30
For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
The summary of the story is that Demetrius has to rile up the people against Paul and the message of Jesus because Paul was going to make their means of livelihood worthless if the people accepted Jesus.
So when next people do not accept Jesus. think about it in these terms. They do not want to lose their status, “culture”, lifestyle and means of livelihood.
Saint of God, do not be discouraged.
Keep casting the word. Pray for people. The Holy Spirit will take it from there. And wonderful results awaits us.
The gospel is littered with such.
Let me share one.
Acts19:17–120 New Living Translation
The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored.
Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices.
A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars.
A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars.
Men walked away from million of dollars. Yes, because they found something greater that this life. They got the peace and eternal life that only Jesus can give. They accepted it and walked away from their old ways.
Enough said.
Be blessed.
