There are a lot of things that intrigue me about Jesus. One of the
aspects of His ministry that has always produced jaw-dropping, head-scratching
responses is His upside-down teaching about life.
As we journey through life, we may get to the point where we think we’ve
got it figured out and our thought patterns and responses for navigating
through life are deeply engrained. Yet Jesus interrupts us in the midst of our
routines and calls us to a new and better way. But beware! This encounter with
the ways of Jesus will be challenging.
Consider these paradoxical propositions: to live you must die (Mark
8:35); to gain you must give (Matt. 19:21); “blessed are those who mourn”
(5:4); to rule you must serve (Luke 22:26); and suffering has purpose
(5:10-11).
It is pronouncements like these that make people think Christ is
strangely out of touch. But we are the ones out of touch. He is not upside
down, we are! We’re like children who think they know better than their parents
what is best.
No wonder God has told us, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are
your ways My ways” (Isa. 55:8). So, rather than relying on our mixed-up
instincts, let’s ask Him to help us reflect His ways.
What may seem upside down to us is right side up to God. (RBC)
