Jesus Wasn’t The Author Of Disorder

– Ponderings:

The Apostle Paul’s first visit to Thessalonica didn’t go well. After arriving in the city, Paul went to the synagogue for three weeks, talking to them about Jesus. The NRSV says, in Acts 17, that Paul “argued” with them from the scriptures, which is generally not the best way to open a conversation. Paul was trying to convince them that Jesus was the Messiah, and that his suffering and death were part of God’s plan. We are told that some believed, but others became jealous and angry and formed a mob. It was so intense that they “set the city in an uproar.” What was their problem with Paul? It’s summarized in Acts 17:6: “These people (Christ-followers) who have been turning the world upside down have come here also…”

When our comfort is challenged and what we thought we knew is questioned, it can feel like our world is being turned upside down. We get defensive. We get angry. Our reaction is no different from the mob in Thessalonica. But here’s the twist in Paul’s message about Jesus: Jesus didn’t come to flip a peaceful world into chaos—he came to set a broken world back in order.

The world was already upside down. Violence was normal. Injustice was woven into the fabric of life. Power came through force, not service. The gospel of Jesus challenged all of that. It called for humility instead of pride, love over hate, mercy rather than vengeance. Jesus wasn’t the author of disorder; he was—and is—the restorer of God’s original design.

That’s what Lent is about too. It’s about reordering our hearts and letting Christ reorient us. He doesn’t want to just tweak our lives—he wants to redeem and transform them. Jesus doesn’t want to turn our lives upside down; he wants to turn our lives right side up. He wants us to compare and contrast the world around us with the kingdom of God he offers, and see the differences. One is based on hate; the other on love. One is based on power and wealth; the other on service and selflessness. One is based on getting rewards now; the other on building up rewards for eternity. One is upside down; the other is right side up.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, in a world so often upside down, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. During this Lenten season, turn my heart toward your kingdom values and help me stop conforming to a broken world. Use me to help restore what’s been lost. Turn my life right side up, and let me reflect your peace, justice, and mercy in all I do. Amen.