A Counter-Cultural Perspective

Scripture – Luke 22:49-53: 49When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. 52Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”

Reflection: Once again, the followers of Jesus act as the world would respond. One of them even tried to cut off a man’s head. But the man ducked, losing only his ear. Jesus, in one more act of compassion, healed him, even as He rebuked His followers.

Then He turned to the Jewish leaders and challenged them with their own cowardly behavior. Indeed, as we’ve seen, He was very open with His teaching – always out in public. Yet they were afraid to make any moves then. Now they’ve come under cover of darkness to arrest Him.

Was Jesus leading a rebellion? Certainly He was – and still is today. He calls us to a different standard. He calls us to live as kingdom people. So we do respond differently to life because we come at life from an entirely different perspective. Following Christ is a great counter-cultural experience. Part of the cost is that we will always be out of step with the world around us. At the same time, that’s also part of the reward.