Jesus' Shocking Message

Jesus’ ministry is filled with moments where He shocked the crowds by His actions. Probably most notable are the miracles He performed on Sabbath Day. A “shock factor” has been described as an act done to provoke a reaction of sharp disgust, anger, fear, or similar negative emotions. When we are shocked by someone’s words, clothing, actions, etc,. it’s usually because they are either inappropriate or we didn’t expect that to come from whoever did it. 

It’s within the “shock” that makes us rethink what we had previously concluded about someone or something. Jesus often associated with people that made His followers (and those who read the accounts) question His reasoning. 

After Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, many people were inspired by His words. Matthew 7:28-29, “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” The shock was that He didn’t quite fit the complete role of a Rabbi or a scribe, yet His understanding of scripture was amazing; a fact the religious leaders had discovered about Him nearly 20 years earlier (Luke 2:47). 

But how should that “shock” cause someone to respond to the message? The Centurion (Luke 7:1-10) acknowledged Jesus' authority and asked for help. The sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50) brought expensive perfume and a lot of boldness and humility. 

It seemed that those in attendance didn’t care to understand her powerful message, so Jesus helped them see how this shocking act of kindness, honor, and repentance, was the proper response to a shocking message. He told a “shocking” story of forgiveness.

Luke 7:41-43, “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 

Where they saw a sinner, Jesus saw “a broken and contrite heart” (Psalm 51:17), someone willing to express her love for Jesus no matter what she had to do or where she had to go. Unfortunately, not everyone who hears the amazing good news of Jesus Christ responds correctly. Yet, the same message that compelled many people to leave all they had and follow Him, or wash Jesus’ feet with their hair, or simply humbled themselves before Jesus—and that response is the goal for us today. How will you show your love for Christ today?