R is for RADICAL

The most radical act: He who was highest became the lowest to love the lowly. He was obedient unto death. (Phil 2:1-11)

Our most radical act: follow him.

When we chose to follow Jesus, we signed up for a Slain Lamb as our leader—who is known for His radical death as much as He is known for His radical life.His scars in His hands are forever as pronounced as the crown on His head. This is our radical leader who in our predatory world chose to identify Himself as a lamb—avery vulnerable prey. He continues His legacy by calling His followers to go the same way and be like Him—"lambs in the midst of wolves."It's one thing to be called "lambs in the midst of chickens" or "lambs in the midst of sheep," but to call us to be "lambs in the midst of wolves": this is radical. He is calling us in an entirely different direction than what is instinctual forus. Rather than trying to get to the top, He wants us to go down.

In the face of human aspiration of, "How high can you climb?" Jesus forged the path, "How low can you go?" We follow Him in this continual descent. Rather than defend ourselves, we embrace misunderstanding. Rather than fight for our rights, we die to ourselves. Rather than to try to get ahead, we go low. Rather than try to get honor,we prefer others before ourselves. Rather than try to be first, we seek to be last. Rather than heaping up riches, we give generously. Rather than being right, we listen intently.

Jesus didn't choose this direction to prove a point; rather He came down and went low as His way to show love. It's always love—not a clanging symbol or dramatic act to stand alone, but an intentional way to demonstrate love.

In John 15:13, Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for His friends."This is the direction of love for the Slain Lamb. As His followers we choose the same path and we demonstrate our love to Him and to our neighbors by going low and laying down our lives.

This is radical my friends, and its our call!

Written by Cheryl Allen, Director of PIHOP (Pasadena International House of Prayer)