We read in 2 Kings 9, how the prophet Elisha sends one of the sons of the prophets to anoint Jehu the next king of Israel, the prophet was to tell what he was to do with all of the descendants of Ahab to fulfill prophecy (1 Kings 21:21-22), and then flee once he accomplished this. We read what was thought of this prophet by the people in 2 Kings 9:11, “Then Jehu came out to the servants of his master, and one said to him, “Is all well? Why did this madman come to you?” And he said to them, “You know the man and his babble.” The prophets throughout history have stood their ground for God and have been marginalized at the least, but more commonly persecuted for their position. Concerning the prophets, notice what Jesus said in Matthew 23:37, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!...”. Concerning Jesus, we read what the religious leaders thought of him in Matthew 12:24, “Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons”. Jesus was labeled possessed and crazy. Concerning Paul, we read in Acts 26:24, “Now as he this made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”

The question is for those of us who claim to be Christians, are we willing to step outside the norms of society and wear the label of freak, madman, etc., crazy for the sake of the gospel truth. The question is if our Christianity were put on trial would there be enough evidence to convict us. Do we prefer to play it safe and be liked by the world. We read the strong warning for this in James 4:4, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” We have read in today’s reading of a multitude of gory events including mass beheadings. We, who are in Christ, know the truth and what will happen to those around us should they not make a decision for Christ before it is too late. We in Christ know the prophecies concerning end times and how close we seem to be to their fulfillment. So, fellow Jesus freaks it is time to raise our voices, though we might be maligned in the process to a world that needs more than ever to hear this gospel message.