Download Jesus: Trouble-Maker

Jesus: Trouble-Maker
As we have been focusing on various attributes of Christ, we have seen many characteristics that
we consider to be positive. But there are some traits that appear, at least at first glance, to be negative.
For example, Jesus describes Himself as a trouble-maker. Of course, this trouble is not something
He seeks but is instead the result of trying to follow Him faithfully. Still, those who obey Christ can
expect to encounter problems.
"Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth," the Lord points out in Matthew 10:34-39; "I
did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
"For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a
daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be the members of his
household.
"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or
daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
"And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
"He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it."
So, although this is not what is desired, dedication to Jesus may place a Christian at odds with the
rest of his family. There is another conflict, though, which is sought from the beginning. Following
Jesus causes trouble with the material world.
In Matthew chapter five Jesus gives instructions which are completely against worldly values.
In verses 27-32 Christ denounces not only adultery but also impure thoughts of lust. The material
world, of course, allows any kind of thought and denies any connection between what we think and
what we do. In fact, the world commercializes extensively on these thoughts through pornography as
well as suggestive advertising.
Jesus then condemns excessive language and oath-making. How does this compare with the
language we hear on the streets these days?
And in the final part of this chapter the Lord makes a famous statement about turning the other
cheek to those who abuse us. Would anyone deny that application of this instruction leads to trouble
with the material world?
Jesus continues into the next chapter His attack on worldly values.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth," He advises in Matthew 6:19-21, "where moth
and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your
treasure is there will your heart be also."
"No one can serve two masters," the Lord states in verse 24; "for either he will hate the one and
love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and riches."
Christ then goes on to teach that we must not allow ourselves to be controlled by concern about our
food or clothing.
"Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow," He concludes in verse 34; "for tomorrow will care for
itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
In Luke 12:13-34 Jesus condemns one of the world's most prized attributes.
"Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed," He warns in verse 15; "for not even
when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."
The entire fourth chapter of the book of James points to the error of those who seek friendship with
the world. In fact, this thought carries over into the following chapter.
Obeying the Bible can cause trouble with relatives and with the material world. Unfortunately,
many people fail to count the cost of discipleship before promising to follow Jesus.
"Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go," a Jewish scribe offers in Matthew 8:19.
"The foxes have holes," the Master replies, "and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man
has nowhere to lay His head."
Jesus leaves no doubt. There is trouble ahead for those who think they can follow him and still
enjoy all the earthly comforts.
We are going to have trouble if we plan on following Jesus. So, where can we expect this trouble to
occur?
Almost without a doubt, we can expect trouble at work if we are trying to be honest. If our
employers are not trying to get us to be dishonest in order to cheat customers or supplyers, then our
fellow-employees are trying to pressure us to be dishonest with the boss. Or maybe both are going on
at the same time. Then there is the trouble caused when a christian worker is trying to get along while
the employer and/or fellow-workers are just trying to take advantage of him or her.
"Urge bondservants to be subject to their own masters in everything," Titus 2:9-10 instructs in
teaching which applies today to employees, "to be well pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but
showing all good faith that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect."
"Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect," we are advised in 1 Peter 2:18-20, "not
only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.
"For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when
suffering unjustly.
"For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But
if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God."
"Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth," we read in Colossians 3:22-25,
"not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the
Lord.
"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from
the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
"For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that
without partiality."
"Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh," Paul admonishes in
Ephesians 6:5-6, "with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of
eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart."
Lest someone doubt that these instructions apply to twenty-first-century employees just as much as
to first-century slaves, we need only ask ourselves why a better attitude would be expected from
someone in an involuntary situation than from someone who choses employment. And, then, the
Bible itself extends the application to all people, whether slave or free.
"With good will render service," Paul goes on in Ephesians 6:7-8, "as to the Lord, and not to men,
knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether
slave or free."
In addition to the trouble we encounter at work because we try to be honest and get along, we also
find problems because we try to obey the government, regardless of what all others are doing.
"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution: whether to a king as the one in
authority; or to governors as sent through him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those
who do right," 1 Peter 2:13-15 orders.
"For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men."
Paul stresses in Romans 13:1-7 the same obedience to government.
We encounter trouble when we try to pattern our marriages and other interpersonal relationships on
what the Bible says and not on what society feels. Read 1 Timothy 2:9-15 and Ephesians 5:22-33 to
see how true this is.
As we read in Acts 5:29, following Jesus results in trouble with anyone else who insists on going
against God. And, as we note from passages such as 1 Peter 5:8-10 and James 4:7, following Jesus
means we never get along with Satan.
But, perhaps most importantly, following Jesus means we are going to have trouble with the
religious world. You see, the religious world, oddly enough, is not trying to get along with what Jesus
orders.
Read the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:1-7 and decide whether or not following Him promises
trouble with the religious world.
"Enter by the narrow gate," Jesus cautions in Matthew 7:13-14; "for the gate is wide, and the way is
broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.
"For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it."
Just trying to teach this puts us counter to the religious world, doesn't it.
Some disciples ask Jesus in Luke 13:23 whether just a few are being saved. The answer, in one
word, is, "Yes."
In Matthew chapter 23 Jesus speaks out against many of the religious practices of His day. Oddly
enough, many if not all of these practices still exist today.
Paul points out in the first two chapters of 1 Corinthians that what God provides is not always what
the religious world is seeking. In 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Paul warns Timothy that he will soon find himself
having trouble with those who want to pursue their own kind of religion.
If we want to follow Jesus, we must expect trouble. But the benefits far outweigh the
disadvantages. Jesus promises in John 14:27 that He has come to bring peace. But He quickly adds
that it is not peace by the standards of the world. What He offers is an eternal peace.
"To sum up," 1 Peter 3:8-9 says, "let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kind-hearted, and
humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you
were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing."
"And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?" the thought continues with
verse 13.
"But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their
intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to
make a defense to every one who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with
gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered,
those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
"For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing
what is wrong."
We can choose to compromise with the world and avoid trouble. But real peace, real freedom,
comes only from devoutly obeying the truth.
Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C)
Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used
by permission." (www.lockman.org)