In the book of Acts, the disciples are described as “the people who have been turning the world upside down.” (Acts 17:6)

“Turning the world upside down” is what God does in every age, and it is particularly what God does through Jesus Christ. Christ brings about a thoroughgoing reversal of typical human values. Instead of the quest for power, wealth, and grandeur, Christ leads his followers in a path of humility, love, and service. He shakes up our standard human concepts about what is “important.” As he says, “Whoever becomes humble like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven . . . The first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 18:4, 19:30) Christ leads people into whole new ways of thinking and living.

Christ leads people into whole new ways of thinking and living. Share on X

Does our world today need to be turned upside down? Many of us might note that the world is already upside down—it needs to be turned right side up! This is what Christ does, beginning with our individual lives. When we open ourselves to the saving grace of Christ, we can experience the transforming power of His Spirit in our own lives, and become people who are a part of how God would transform the world today.

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Mark 10:35–45
Matthew 18:1–4
Philippians 2:3–8

A photo posted by UMC of Kent, Ohio (@kentmethodist) on Feb 25, 2016 at 12:29pm PST

About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.