I was always attracted to this idea of Jesus being radical. I liked this Jesus that was really outlandish—very different. However, this last week, I discovered that the word “radical” actually means “root.” This threw my favorite perspective of Jesus for a loop. In fact, the early idea of radical means that we go to the true origins.
There was something convenient about the Jesus who proclaimed things like: “Don’t forgive seven times but 70 times seven times.” These big, radical ideas were comfortable in their big-ness. I could almost hold them at arm’s length. Perhaps I could try to live them, but it was okay if I failed because it was just too big for any one person to live.
What radical actually meant is that Jesus’s words go straight to the heart of every matter—even 70 times seven.
When I was standing on the threshold of my crumbling marriage, I would sit for hours, thinking about each of the things that went wrong. Things I could have done better, but mainly acts I saw as deep betrayals. These thoughts occupied hundreds of hours of my thoughts. The betrayal turned into my very powerful position as a victim, and resentment became firmly rooted, like a poisonous plant in my heart.
I needed radical. I needed the words that went straight to my heart, but I needed more. I needed Jesus to reach in and pluck the poison. I needed 70 times seven.
Daily, I forgave, and eventually, that place of deep darkness began to soften. I was dethroned from my powerful victim seat and was humbled.
Unforgiveness in my moment of greatest darkness was one thing that needed the radical action of Jesus, but there are so many more examples of these experiences that steal our thoughts away from God.
They can come in big moments with someone you love or small moments with a stranger:
-Anger at a neighbor for doing mowing their lawn too early
-Deep frustration with unanswered questions
-Regret for words unspoken before someone’s untimely death
God knows these radical proclamations are more than we could ever do on our own. He’s not asking for that. He’s asking for me to turn my eyes to Him whenever I see the next poisonous root.
- What is occupying your thoughts today?
- What needs a radical touch?
- What step do you need to take forward right now?