Radical

Think back to the last time you were really sick. I’m not talking about a runny nose or a light cough, but about the time you thought to yourself, “I hope I never get this sick again!” Probably all of us at that point have gone to the doctor, so that we can understand what we have and what medicine we need. 

Getting to the Root
The word radical has a few different meanings. The one we’re probably most familiar with is “extreme; a considerable departure from the usual or traditional”. Many, though, might be less familiar with the meaning, “proceeding from a root”. For example, using this definition, a radical surgery would be “to remove the root of a disease or all diseased and potentially diseased tissue.” 

The Root is Sin
Humanity is sick and at the root of our sickness is not anger or impatience, lack of resources or education, miscommunication or bad policy. At the root of our problem is sin. Sin is so horrible a sickness that it is incurable. “For thus says the Lord: Your hurt is incurable, and your wound is grievous. There is none to uphold your cause, no medicine for your wound, no healing for you.” (Jeremiah 30:12-13) Radical treatment is needed, a treatment that is extreme and a treatment that gets to the root of our disease.

The Radical Gospel
The Gospel is radical. In fact it is so radical that Paul says that in the eyes and ears of the world it is folly and a stumbling block (1 Cor. 1:23). The world refuses to admit that it is sick. Perhaps there are some who do see that something is wrong with the world, but they don’t see the cure. Perhaps they’ve been told what the cure is, but they cannot believe it. The Gospel cuts away every excuse and barrier and gets to the root. The Gospel tells us that we are sinners under the wrath of God, blinded by Satan and slaves to our lustful desires. But the Gospel doesn’t stop after describing to us our extreme condition. It goes on to describe the cure. 

Jesus
To Paul, the Gospel is the power and wisdom of God. Actually, he says that Jesus Christ is the power and wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24). Jesus is the Gospel! That is extreme, not like any other religion or belief system in the world. Jesus is not only “a considerable departure” from other so-called gods of the world, He is an infinite departure from them. The Gospel is Jesus coming into the world, being born into the world, living a sinless life, dying a sinner’s death on the cross, rising from the dead and ascending up to heaven. Only Jesus can get to the root of our sinfulness. Only Jesus can change us, cleanse us and create a new heart within us. Jesus is everything we need.