Dec. 14th. Disturbed

Disturbed

I find it somewhat fitting that at the pivotal point of the birth narrative in Matthew the story jumps to how this birth is disturbing. It starts with King Herod and spreads throughout Jerusalem. It is pivotal because at this point all of us are faced with the same question: Does Jesus disturb you?

I am not referring to the presence of fear or dread, but in the sense of how His presence is causing you to rethink life and some of the stuff we do so easily? I think this is precisely why and how Jesus came into our world. His life and ministry and even His very presence should cause us to become disturbed. In actuality, if Jesus is not making a difference in our lives for the good or even the bad, then why did He come? What was His purpose other than to bring us to a new relationship with God and to draw us toward Himself through faith?

I believe that Jesus has the answers for living life to the fullest, for finding purpose and ministry, and for discovering the hidden areas of our existence that need to be rooted out. Jesus' entire ministry was about challenging the status quo and calling ordinary people just like you and I to come and follow Him with reckless abandonment. So the question again is posed: Does Jesus disturb you?

In our reading, King Herod was disturbed; he saw his world in danger and was willing to do anything to keep things in order. Continue to read chapter 2:13 – 18 and see to what extent he reached because of how greatly disturbed he was.

The same might be said of us. See how greatly he or she acts in order to escape the feelings Jesus brings when He challenges our ordinary with His extraordinary. Might I suggest that the next time you are confronted with the person of Jesus allow Him to get deep into your life and to bring about the change His transformational life can bring.

See you on the journey…