Uncommon

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 

-Acts 4:13

In our culture, the idea of being common is looked down upon. From an early age, we are taught to be distinct and flashy; to be different. We have seen this put on display through the generations, and different ages have displayed this in various ways. While I understand this desire to be uncommon, the real question is what forms our identity of distinction? 

In Acts 4, we see this identity on display. Peter and John are boldly proclaiming the gospel of Jesus, loving the people, leading the church, and doing miraculous work for the kingdom. This work created a huge ripple effect in the status quo of the Sadducees. We must remember that the Jewish upper class had a good thing going with the Romans at this time. This uprising that Peter and John created was similar to what Jesus did. They didn’t like it, so they had Peter and John arrested for proclaiming the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. When they were interviewed by the high priest, Annnas, he was astounded when he recognized them as “uneducated and common” men. But, it was not their ordinariness that astounded him; it was the distinct marks of them being with Jesus. Their distinctness was not found in the world but in Christ. He had radically changed them. He had made them a new creation set apart from the rest of the world. In this new identity, they could only live in one way, contrary to the world. In Him, their only reality was to proclaim a risen Savior and a coming Kingdom. It had become their identity, their only way to live.

In a world where we are given so many false identity markers, we are called to be distinct and not common. But these marks must be those of a King and a Kingdom. These identity markers should be the first thing the world sees in our lives.  These kingdom markers inform everything about us. They are evident in the mountains and valleys of our lives. They are on display in trial and conflict. Their central proclamations are the hope and mercy of our Lord. 

Brothers and sisters, go and live as distinctly uncommon. Your life should be recognized first as a follower of our Lord Jesus. He is your life and your striking identity. Go and turn the world upside down for the sake of His name. Be bold!

I love you and consider it an honor to serve as your pastor.

Blessings,

Bro. Kris