When Jehu came out to his master’s servants, they asked, “Is everything all right? Why did this crazy person come to you?” – 2 Kings 9.11, CSB
The person being described as “crazy” by the master’s servants was a young prophet (2 Kings 9.4). Nothing in the passage conveys that the young prophet did or said anything in front of the servants that would have warranted this. But there was something about him that made them think this. Maybe they had seen him before, or had heard another prophet say some weird things who looked a lot like this guy, or maybe it was because after meeting with Jehu he “opened the door and escaped” (2 Kings 9.10, CSB). Of course, these are merely conjectures since Scripture doesn’t give us any details. But it causes us to ask ourselves: Are we willing to be seen as “crazy” to the world because we follow Jesus?
Jesus warned his disciples the night before he took the cross about how the world would view them. “If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you” (John 15.18-19, CSB). And then, the next morning, Jesus was crucified. Did Jesus’ words haunt them on that Friday and Saturday before the first Easter Sunday? Did the image of Jesus’ lifeless body on the cross bring terror to them as they thought, “If they hated Jesus that much, what will they do to us?”
It seems like there is a temptation for us, as followers of Jesus, to show the world that we aren’t all that different from them. And while I do believe that some of this is motivated by a good desire to build bridges with others so that we can share Jesus with them, I believe there is a danger of appearing no different, motivated by fear, which would cause people to see no difference in us. And if they see no difference in us, why would they be interested in the difference that Jesus makes? If we convey that we are no different, then we convey that the gospel makes no difference.
But there is another side to this as well. While we may be tempted to blend in with the world so that we don’t rock the boat, there’s also the temptation driven by pride to stand against the world in battle formation, hating those who hate us, all the while forgetting that we are not at war with the world but rather at war for the world. The Bible tells us that we aren’t at war with flesh and blood (i.e., people), but against the spiritual forces of this dark world (Ephesians 6.12). Our heart for the world should be the same as God’s, for he loved the world so much that he gave his Son for it (John 3.16), and Jesus didn’t come into the world to condemn it but that it might be saved through him (John 3.17).
Paul reminded the Christians in Colossae,
At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, so that I may make it known as I should. Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. – Colossians 4.3-6, CSB (emphasis added)
Peter says something similar in his letter to persecuted Christians,
Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. – 1 Peter 3.13-17, CSB
And Paul reminds the Christians in Rome about how different we should be from those who don’t follow Christ.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good. – Romans 12.9-21, CSB
With Scripture telling us so directly about how different we are supposed to be, let’s be different. Let’s live as citizens of heaven, following Jesus’ example of grace and mercy, humility and service, while unapologetically holding to truth and teaching the commands and expectations of God. Let’s live in submission to our Great King, Jesus, instead of living like everyone else. Let’s keep showing great generosity and move with zeal toward those without Jesus instead of zealously standing against them. Let’s be quick to forgive because we have been forgiven a great deal. Let’s pray and believe that God is working and will do even greater things. Let’s run toward the pain and mess of life that people are experiencing instead of running away from it. Let’s be careful with our words, knowing when to rebuke in grace and truth and when to encourage. Let’s be willing to help those who are in need, if if we means we go without. Let’s introduce people to the salvation found in no one but Jesus. Let’s worship God passionately and love him deeply. Let’s spend our time and resources on things in accordance with the values of the kingdom of God. Let’s be peacemakers instead of instigators of division. Let’s bless our communities and neighborhoods by serving and caring for each neighbor whom God has entrusted to our care. Let’s respond and react to things so differently because we are different. And let’s joyfully accept that we will be seen, and even treated, as foolish because the gospel of Jesus has changed us.
Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage. – 1 Corinthians 4.11-13, CSB
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Brian J Holland 
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