Many of us have done a great disservice to Jesus Christ. Not only do we tone him down to tame and soften him, but we also understand his message to be addressed primarily to our needs of comfort, safety, and convenience.

We have been telling people that if they come to Jesus, they will live a safe and comfortable life: “He’ll be your rock and fortress, and he’ll protect you from the dangers around you.” Some even insist that Jesus wants nothing more than to heal you, bless you financially, and make your life carefree.

Jesus does heal, of course, and bless us financially and bring peace. But all of that does not even come close to Scripture’s teaching on what it means to follow Jesus. If you follow Jesus, you follow the most radical man who ever existed. He marches into the world with kindness, peace, and love, and offers people a whole new way of looking at the world and living within it.

His is the most radical message you can preach or live. He turns everything upside down and calls us to do likewise. Jesus is not vitally committed to our comfort and safety; he is committed to the advancing of his kingdom revolution in the hearts of people everywhere.

Mike Erre in “The Jesus of Suburbia: Have We Tamed the Son of God to Fit Our Lifestyle?”