What is a rebel? By its very definition it simply means; to resist or rise against some authority, control, or tradition. So how does that apply to our faith and telling others about Jesus? Well for starters Jesus was a rebel. Look at the opening words to Lecrae’s song “Rebel.”
Jesus was a rebel, a renegade, outlaw/ sanctified troublemaker but He never sinned, oh/ and He lived His life by a different set of Rules/ the culture ain’t approve/so you know they had to bruise em/ that’s the way they do/ man
When Jesus stepped onto the scene and began his ministry he was a rebel in comparison to the religious leaders of his time. He purposely chose to hang with people the Pharisee’s would never dream of getting near. He lived by a different set of rules; “You heard it said, But I say….” And he turned their culture and world upside down as a result of his rebellion.
But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant. – Matthew 20:25-26
In John 4 we see his rebellion against culture when he spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well. The Jews and Samaritans hated each other. As a matter fact the Jews would purposely walk out of their way just to avoid even walking through a Samaritan village.
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” – John 4:9-10
And in John 8 we see his rebellion against the rules of the Pharisee’s.
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” – John 8:3-7
And in Matthew 28:19-20 he calls us to be rebels by sharing our faith. By making disciples, who make disciple, who make disciples. Something the religious leaders of his time and even the religious of our time are not doing.
But leading our students to become rebels WITH Jesus is not about forming a linch mob in our community, plastering our bumpers with Jesus stickers, wearing cheesy Christian t-shirts to school while carrying a bible and telling everyone they are going to hell if they don’t turn from their sin and accept Jesus. Being a rebel WITH Jesus is not about equipping our students to argue theology and become angry nerds.
Jesus didn’t raise up a linch mob, he discipled his students to love God and love others. Jesus’ form of rebellion is not one that uses force or harsh words. His form of rebellion builds relationships with people and is relentless about telling others the truth of the Gospel. It’s time we change the rules and disciple our students to make disciples. To have them become rebels WITH Jesus and not become rebels FOR Jesus. Being a rebel with Jesus and going all in for THE Cause is not the latest fad. It’s our calling and command by God.
So, are you ready to lead your students to become a rebel WITH Jesus? Are you ready to shake this culture and world by spending time with the lost, the hurt, the confused, the shunned and the rejects? Are you ready to make disciples that make disciples? Are you ready to change the rules?
What are some things you have done to help move your students into being passionate about sharing their faith?
