[RADICAL] like Jesus

Jesus loved. Period. Jesus didn’t exclude or belittle. He cared about all the people on the margins: the poor, the vulnerable, immigrants, the oppressed, and everyone else. When we look closely at Jesus’ life, we see a whole lot of radical. Radical inclusiveness, love, compassion, and so much more. We can strive to be radical like Jesus.

Most people imagine Jesus as calm and polite, but the gospels reveal someone who turned expectations upside down. Jesus healed on the Sabbath, welcomed outsiders, and challenged both religious and political powers. His way of loving was radical because it prioritized people over rules. What might happen if we chose to live with that same kind of holy boldness: seeing people others overlook, listening with compassion, and meeting needs even when it costs us?

I’ve put together a series of short devotionals exploring these radical ways of Jesus.

[INCLUSIVE] like Jesus

Jesus welcomed people others avoided: tax collectors, lepers, children, foreigners. God’s table is wide, and Jesus kept widening it, despite prevailing attitudes. Indeed, Jesus offers friendship to Zacchaeus and shares a meal with him (Luke 19:1-10). The result is that Zacchaeus seeks to make restitution to those he had wronged. Likewise, Jesus speaks with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:4-30). She had been shunned by society and was perceived as less than.

We can find example after example of Jesus reaching out to people on the margins with offers of healing, hope, and inclusion. We’re talking about a welcoming and affirming inclusion. Who have you noticed being excluded or overlooked in society? At church? By people in authority? How might we offer friendship, acceptance, and affirmation to them? How can we highlight the beauty of diversity in our corners of the world?

God of welcome, open my eyes to those the world overlooks. Help me stretch the table of my heart so all find room. Make me radical like Jesus. Amen.

Being radically inclusive flows naturally from a loving heart.

[LOVING] like Jesus

Love wasn’t an idea for Jesus. It was touch, food shared, forgiveness offered. He loved with actions that cost something. When asked which commandment matters most, Jesus names two: love God with all you are and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40). Then he defines “neighbor” with the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), where the true neighbor is the one who crosses boundaries to show mercy. Love in its purest form addresses root causes of suffering, not just immediate needs.

Loving like Jesus means more than warm feelings. It means noticing someone in need, letting compassion interrupt our plans, and offering help even when it costs time, reputation, or comfort. Who is the “neighbor” God is bringing across your path this week, and what would active love look like for that person? Who do we prefer not to think of as a “neighbor”? Is that valid? What small step can we take in the right direction?

God of steadfast love, teach me to care with actions more than words. Let my time, energy, and resources serve neighbors near and far. Make me radical like Jesus. Amen.

A life of love is naturally compassionate.

[COMPASSIONATE] like Jesus

Again and again the gospels say Jesus was “moved with compassion.” He felt the pain of others and acted to bring relief. Sometimes, Jesus’ compassion is for a crowd of people (Matthew 9:35-36, among others). Other times, he is moved by the plight of an individual, like when he raises a widow’s son from the dead (Luke 7:11-15). Without fail, he acts to meet the need.

Other words that resonate with compassion include sympathy, empathy, care, concern, and understanding. Leaders with these kinds of qualities draw people to themselves. Don’t we want our leaders to sow seeds of goodness, encouragement, and unity rather than hatred, derision, and divisiveness? What are some concrete ways a leader can do this? Are there red flags we can watch for? How might we cultivate compassion in our own lives?

God of mercy, stir my spirit when others suffer. Give me empathy that moves quickly to help and to heal. Make me radical like Jesus. Amen.

If we are consistently compassionate, people will notice that we’re different.

[DIFFERENT] like Jesus

Jesus didn’t follow the script of power or popularity. He chose humility, friendship with the overlooked, and a cross instead of a throne. The Beatitudes describe a kingdom upside-down from the world’s values (Matthew 5:1-12). He paints a picture lauding the merciful, the pure, the humble, and those who grieve. He’s not singing the praises of those who are wealthy and influential. Moreover, Paul admonishes us against conforming to the world, encouraging us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). What a challenge! Renewing and refreshing our thoughts takes hard work. It’s not easy to be different.

I find something to admire in being different. Figuring out what matters to us without regard to how others will react. Do we want leaders who value fame, power, and fortune, or should we look for something different (see Philippians 2:5-11)? How can we be different today?

Transforming God, free me from the pull of power and popularity. Renew my mind so I follow your upside-down way. Make me radical like Jesus. Amen.

Being different requires a special kind of boldness.

[BOLD] like Jesus

When leaders twisted God’s law to burden people, Jesus spoke up. He risked reputation and safety to tell the truth. He wasn’t afraid to confront religious hypocrisy (Matthew 23:1-12). Early believers prayed for boldness to speak God’s word (Acts 4:29-31). This kind of boldness is beautiful, hopeful, and oh so necessary.

There’s a fine line between boldness and aggression. We want a boldness laced with righteous indignation, not hatred. It comes down to our motives: are we speaking up to right a wrong, or to put someone down? What are some simple situations where we might respond with boldness? I bet we’ll find opportunities if we look for them.

God of truth, give me courage to speak when silence would be easier. Let my words carry justice and grace. Make me radical like Jesus. Amen.

Walking in boldness is bound to cause some disruptions.

[DISRUPTIVE] like Jesus

Jesus overturned tables and habits alike, showing that God’s reign topples systems built on greed and exclusion. Think of Jesus clearing the temple courts (Mark 11:15-17). Jesus offers some hard challenges in Matthew 10:34-39. I don’t believe this is a call to violence but an honest description of what happens when love and justice confront systems of power. When loyalty to family (or governments) requires silence about oppression, disciples choose the way of Christ instead. Despite the disruption.

Have you caused a disruption lately? How did it make you feel? What in our society today would anger Jesus? How would he respond? Where in our personal lives do we need some disruptions: habits? unhealthy thought patterns?

God of holy change, unsettle me where comfort hides injustice. Help me overturn habits and systems that harm. Make me radical like Jesus. Amen.

Being disruptive takes courage.

[COURAGEOUS] like Jesus

Jesus walked straight into danger for the sake of love, trusting God even when the path led to the cross. He prays in Gethsemane and chooses obedience despite fear (Luke 22:39-46). Later, he steps forward to meet those who will arrest him (John 18:1-11). Wow. That’s courageous. Even at the beginning of his ministry, Jesus’ response to temptation in the wilderness took courage (Matthew 4:1-11). The easy thing would have been to give in. It took tremendous strength to withstand.

What does courage look like for us today? Has there been a time when you’ve chosen the hard thing, the courageous thing? Remember, courage does not mean an absence of fear. It’s a quiet trust in God’s presence with us. That gives us hope.

Faithful God, steady my heart when the path is hard. Remind me that your presence is stronger than fear. Make me radical like Jesus. Amen.

What are some themes to notice here?

• Radical love is action, not sentiment.
• Prioritizing people over systems or traditions.
• Seeing those society ignores and meeting real needs.
• Risking reputation or comfort for justice.

Additional questions for reflection

• Where am I more comfortable keeping peace than practicing love?
• Where am I being nudged to step beyond comfort?
• Who around me needs to be truly seen and heard?
• What norm or habit might God be nudging me to question?
• Where can we partner with others to embody this radical lifestyle?
• Think of prominent politicians and leaders. Do their words smack of kindness, goodness, and compassion? Do their words and actions reflect Jesus?

Jesus lived a love that upended expectations and drew people toward God’s heart. To be [INCLUSIVE], [BOLD], [COMPASSIONATE], or any other radical qualities, is to keep following that same path. What might shift if we stopped settling for polite faith and let God’s Spirit lead us to see, listen, and act as Jesus did?

Have I missed some adjectives? What other qualities describe how we can live like Jesus today?

Please let me know in the comments!

Other posts about devotionals:

• gratitude practices
• 4 best devotional books: grounded and growing
• the Lord’s Prayer throughout scripture
• reflections on Psalm 23
• a reflection on peace
• Philippians 4:8–think on these things

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Fondly,

Crysti