He Is A Misfit

There is plenty about the life of Jesus to respect, admire and adore.

He was a good man, who did good things. He made people very happy with the things He did: giving sight to the blind; feeding thousands with a small amount of food; raising people from the dead; speaking words of peace, justice and righteousness; all that is very pleasant. It’s why what He brings is good news.

There’s a lot to connect with and relate to. What’s also interesting, however, is how for all that good stuff, Jesus did not ingratiate Himself with any of the in-crowds. The key movers and shakers would find one reason or another to find Him a bit too much, someone they wouldn’t put on their favourites list.

It wasn’t just the religious rulers who were bemused and somewhat upset by this Jesus.

We expect our Messiah to relieve us from the political oppression of the Romans. He doesn’t do that, He avoids bids from us making Him King.

We expect our Messiah to stay with us and rule from the throne of David. He dies on a cross.

We expect this Son of Man to condone our lifestyles. He tells us to go and sin no more.

We expect this son of Joseph and Mary to know His place. He tells us that He and God the Father are one.

We expect the Messiah to come from Bethlehem. He hails from Nazareth and nothing good comes from Nazareth.

We expect things to be so much better with the Messiah. He ushers in division and confusion with some saying He’s a mad man.

He doesn’t fit with His family, with His own siblings mocking him.

He doesn’t fit in with the crowd who find His talk of eating His flesh and drinking His blood rather off-putting and His claims to be one with God blasphemous.

He came to His own and He didn’t fit in. He came to the world He created and they shunned the light because they preferred the darkness.

He won’t toe the line of the capitalist mantra. He can’t be tied to a socialist view. He is not the hero of the Conservative or Republican. He won’t be the poster-boy for Labour or the Democrats. His Kingdom is not about that kind of free market. He is not for Black Power or White Rule. He won’t enhance the macho cause and He’s not a feminist. His role as Prince of Peace doesn’t suit the military complex. He would not be hip enough for the internet generation. He would not be pliable to the old-time religion types.

He could connect with them and many would be claim to be His followers – but He does not fit – and He does not ask to fit. He calls those that follow Him to fit His Kingdom suit. He calls on those that follow Him to put Him on. Take on His character, take on His call and with that receive a call that doesn’t quite fit with the status quo – but offers a divine alternative that aligns all of creation back to where it’s Creator had initially placed it.

He is far greater than our boxes and classifications that wish to confine Him. The Creator of the Universe could never be limited to a style or philosophy. Those that follow Him can certainly express Him through their cultural lens, but know full well that it is not the fullness of Him that dwells within them.

Yet in all the ways He doesn’t fit, He is just right for us who claim Him as Saviour and Lord. He doesn’t accommodate Himself around us, He moves in us and shapes us after Him and that uniqueness radiates His glory in the world around us. We don’t have to be weird or eccentric, we just have to be faithful and see how being fruitful in the things of Him and His Kingdom will attract attention of one sort or another precisely because it stands out from the status quo – it doesn’t fit, but it does indicate how the world should fit the image and intention of its Creator.

It’s good news for those who don’t fit in society today to know there is one who was also a misfit. It’s good news not to endorse being socially awkward. It’s good news to endorse those who seek His Kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

All because He is a misfit.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden