Jesus, the Renegade

Even when I was a teenager, the question the disciples asked one another, just after witnessing Jesus calm the raging sea, intrigued me, and, I might add, it continues to do so. This was the question: "What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him" (Matthew 8:27 NASB)? This one thing is for sure: He is not the kind of man they expected Him to be—not even close. From what I can see, that has not changed, even 2000 years later.

          The simple truth is this: Jesus was a renegade. No, not in the eyes of His Father, but in the eyes of everyone else, He was—no question about it. It was as if He purposed to challenge everything the Jews held sacred.

          Contrary to popular belief, He certainly did not keep the Ten Commandments, certainly not in the eyes of the Pharisees. For example, the Jews were very serious about keeping the Sabbath Day holy, and as a result had very strict rules that defined how that was to be done. Healing on the Sabbath Day was forbidden, so Jesus healed on the Sabbath day. “And He entered again into a synagogue: and a man was there with a withered hand. And they were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, in order that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Rise and come forward!’” (Mark 3:1-2 NASB). I think you know the rest of the story. Yes, He did heal the man, and, yes, the Pharisees went postal (see vss. 4-6).

          As you remember, touching the “unclean” was also forbidden, so Jesus touched the unclean. “And when He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came to Him, and bowed down to Him, saying, ‘Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean.” And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed” (Matthew 8:1-3 NASB).

          The Law required death by stoning for those who committed adultery, so Jesus forgave them. “And the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the midst, they said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do you say?’ (John  8:3-5 NASB). Again, I think you know the rest of the story.

          If per chance you are attempting to get Jesus to fit into that proverbial “box,” if you are attempting to get Him to fit into your theological paradigm, if you are attempting to get Him to fit into your comfort zone, you are, obviously, wasting your time.

          What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?  He is His own man, and He does that, and only that, which pleases His Father—nothing more, nothing less. Consequently, He will never be the man any of us expect Him to be, and that, my friend, is for sure. Before it is over, He will challenge everything you hold sacred. Count on that.