Elijah, John, Jesus -- Lives of Protest!

In the past few weeks I have just been slain by the life of John the Baptist, who lived in "spirit" of Elijah.  John lived a life modelled after Elijah, who modelled a spirit of protest against mediocrity and paganism.  In Elijah's day it was political servitude, Israelite kings serving foreign kings, and Baal worship.  In John's day it was also political servitude, the pharisees aligning with the Herod's, and Jewish/pagan syncretism.  Jesus, the greatest prophet, then came with the greatest attitude of protest, the Kingdom of Heaven against the Great City of Babylon, which was the greatest symbol of sexy sophisticated rebellion).

So I have been convicted to protest more. I am compelled to find injustice and unrighteousness and protest against them.  But I am scared.

I think we have muddied our image of Jesus.  We have put a hot wet clay of "weakness" on him and made his image melt a little.  But Jesus protested, just like John, just like Elijah.  In fact, the first two demonstrated Jesus' heart in their protest because He exists before them, not they before Him.

Do you protest?  Do you ever do anything to wake up yourself and others from mediocrity?  

Do you do anything to stand out as Christ follower, as one who believes in Messiah? 

Do you make yourself ugly, or make unpopular choices, to protest against the selfishness and rebellion of this generation?  Does your faith cost you money?  Does your faith cost you popularity?  

Ladies do you protest with modest clothing even though others will say you are outdated?  Do you guard your tongues from spreading gossip?  Do you ever protest self-indulgence? 

Men do you protest by working to provide enough or are you enslaved to the dollar?  Do you choose a few toys rather than going for all of them?  Do you protest by keeping your mouth clean from vulgarity and slander?  

Parents do you protest by choosing good habits for your children, like Sunday morning church attendance and family Bible study, or do you let them do every sport, at anytime?  Parents do you protest by removing your children from the classroom when evolution is taught?  Do you stop watching television programs because of subtle language or lessons that attack your child's faith.  

Kids do you protest when another child is cruel on the school yard?  Do you help the one who just got beat up?  Do you protest getting too many toys from your family?

Teens do you protest against sex before marriage and getting drunk?

We have believed the idea that people will come to Jesus if we are attractive enough, but we spend so much time looking in the mirror and comparing ourselves to magazine covers that we have become vain and insecure in our identity.  We always look for validation from the world -- our peers.  We try to look good all the time; instead of being homely.  

This is a significant error.  First of all, none of us is that good looking.  Second, Jesus was a protestor.  From the day He was born, people wanted to kill Him because He undermined their personal ambitions.  Even, if you humbly, gently, and correctly protest, people will still oppose you because you stand against their personal ambitions, but do it for the sake of being like Jesus.

Let us regain a spirit of "protest" with humble and devoted hearts before Jesus the Messiah.  And count the cost.  And let the chips fall where they may.  And let our blood be spilt if necessary.