Jesus Christ is the original "disruptor"

Jesus Christ is the original "disruptor"

Diana Washington Valdez/Faith Today Christian Ministries

A replica of Noah's Ark. Noah was a big disruptor.

These days we often hear or read about new businesses and or entrepreneurs that are disrupting entire industries with their innovations. Some of them are portrayed in positive terms as mavericks.

When Jesus Christ began his earthly ministry, he turned things upside down in the faith circles of those days. His strongest opposition came from religious leaders, such as the Pharisees. 

They criticized him for healing on the Sabbath - oh my, we don't do good on the Sabbath, and for mingling with sinners - Jesus said he came for the lost, not the righteous.

Though he was the son of God (God the son), he asked John the Baptist to baptize him in the Jordan River. None of his encounters with women were ever in any way misogynistic, and he instructed his surprised disciples to permit children to approach him. His first recorded miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding celebration, after his mother Mary asked him for help.

He fasted and prayed for 40 days before he publicly proclaimed - announced - that he was about to fulfill God's rescue plan for humanity.

Luke 4:17-19 (NIV)

"17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free,

19

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. [a]"

After Jesus ascended to heaven, God poured out his Holy Spirit on the disciples who waited in the Upper Room for this promise to be fulfilled, and the "disruption" continued and spread as the empowered followers of Jesus Christ scattered and took the Gospel to the four corners of the world. We will witness another massive disruption on a global scale with the next promised outpouring of his Holy Spirit.

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." - Joel 2:28 (NIV)

God's movement will not be contained within the walls of church buildings, it will not be constrained by pointless denominational doctrines, and it will not be limited by ethnicity, gender or age. We can stand to one side and watch it happen, or we can be a part of it.

Exciting times lie ahead for the followers of Jesus Christ. For some, it may include severe persecution and martyrdom (This already happens in other parts of the world). We need to get ready NOW; waiting until the last minute might not give us a chance to get in the serving line.

"For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." - Matthew 24:44 (NIV)

"He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" - Revelation 22:20 (NKJV)

Shalom!

The Rev. Diana Washington Valdez is an independent Christian minister and president of Faith Today Christian Ministries.