I was reflecting on the fact that Jesus came into the world and literally turned it upside down. He brought concepts to mankind that were totally foreign.
Forgiving someone not 7 times but 70 in one day if necessary and showing mercy instead of taking vengeance as in an eye for an eye and a life for a life.
Taught in Torah as God's Laws, Jesus showed a new way of living as God wanted, bringing a totally alien way of life to those bowed down by following all the Laws of Judaism.
Because Jesus lived as He saw His Father live, His life and actions caused Him to be alienated and hated by the religious teachers of the day, and he was an enigma to the ordinary people in the world around Him. He just didn't fit in.
Of course, loving your enemy, dining with tax-collectors, prostitutes and the like, won Him no points with the Pharisees.
Healing people on the Sabbath and turning over the money tables of the Temple merchants who extorted money from the poor who came to offer their sacrifice angered the religious.
As much as His popularity grew among those who He ministered to, it also angered the self-righteous who sought to silence Him. And it dawned on me, that we who follow Him would often face the same criticism and hatred.
We don't belong or fit in here. Because we who follow Him Who came and changed the world, we will be just as much mistrusted, envied, criticised and maybe even hated as He was.
Just as He said that His Kingdom was not of this world, this world is not for us as followers of Christ. It's just a fact that the more we shine with the love of Christ, the more misunderstood and vilified we will be.
This world is not our home either and we who name the Name of Christ must expect to be treated similarly. We won't fit in if His light is shining in our life.
I don't know why so many want to fit in to this sad sinful and fallen world. We are called to be set apart and I for one am glad that I am.
With all the beauty this world still has, it won't be anything compared to the beauty of Heaven and the wonderful mansion our Saviour has prepared for us.
The world can keep adoring the beautiful people and shunning the ones who do not fit in, because we have a Home to look forward to where we will not only fit in, but be welcomed and at peace in a Kingdom not of this world.
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence, - John 18:36