Difficult Teachings of Jesus - Their Radical Nature and Enduring Challenge
The teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, as recorded in the Gospels, have shaped the moral and spiritual landscape of Western civilization and beyond. Yet, a careful reading of the New Testament reveals that Jesus’ words are not merely comforting platitudes or gentle encouragements; rather, they often confront, challenge, and even unsettle both his original hearers and modern readers. The radical nature of Jesus’ message is evident in its call to a transformed life, a reorientation of values, and a willingness to embrace suffering, humility, and self-denial. This article will explore the most difficult and challenging teachings of Jesus, examining their scriptural foundations, their countercultural implications, and the reasons they remain so hard to follow.
The Radical Call to Discipleship
At the heart of Jesus’ message is the call to discipleship–a summons that demands total allegiance and a willingness to forsake all for the sake of the kingdom of God. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus declares, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26-27). This teaching is jarring, not only because it appears to contradict the commandment to honor one’s parents (Exodus 20:12), but also because it demands a loyalty to Jesus that supersedes even the most intimate human relationships.
The language of “hating” one’s family is hyperbolic, intended to emphasize the absolute priority of Jesus over all other attachments. The call to “bear one’s cross” further intensifies the challenge, as it evokes the image of a condemned criminal carrying the instrument of his own execution. In the first-century context, crucifixion was a symbol of shame and suffering; thus, Jesus’ followers are called to embrace a path marked by self-denial, sacrifice, and even persecution. This radical demand is echoed elsewhere: “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39).
The Sermon on the Mount: Countercultural Ethics
Perhaps nowhere are the difficult teachings of Jesus more concentrated than in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Here, Jesus articulates a vision of righteousness that transcends mere external conformity to the law and penetrates to the motives and desires of the heart. He begins with the Beatitudes, pronouncing blessing on those whom the world often regards as unfortunate: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:3-5).
These statements are profoundly countercultural, both in Jesus’ time and today. The world prizes self-sufficiency, assertiveness, and pleasure, yet Jesus exalts humility, meekness, and spiritual poverty. The Beatitudes challenge believers to adopt values that run contrary to societal norms, making them difficult to internalize and live out.
Jesus then intensifies the moral demands of the law. He teaches that anger is morally equivalent to murder (Matthew 5:21-22), and that lust is tantamount to adultery (Matthew 5:27-28). He commands his followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44), a teaching that stands in stark contrast to the natural human inclination toward retaliation and self-defense. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44). This radical ethic of love, forgiveness, and non-retaliation is among the most challenging aspects of Jesus’ teaching.
The Challenge of Wealth and Possessions
Another area where Jesus’ teachings are especially difficult concerns wealth and material possessions. In a world that often equates success with financial prosperity, Jesus’ words are deeply unsettling: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). He warns that “You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24), and in his encounter with the rich young ruler, he declares, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21).
The demand to hold possessions loosely and to prioritize the kingdom of God over material security is a perennial challenge. Jesus’ teaching exposes the idolatry of wealth and calls his followers to radical generosity and trust in God’s provision. This is not merely a call to charity, but to a fundamental reordering of one’s values and loyalties.
Forgiveness Without Limit
Forgiveness is another area where Jesus’ teaching is both radical and difficult. When Peter asks how many times he must forgive a brother who sins against him, Jesus replies, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22), indicating that forgiveness should be limitless. He further warns, “If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15).
This teaching is challenging because it requires relinquishing the right to vengeance and extending grace even to those who have deeply wounded us. It reflects the character of God, who is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8), but it also demands a supernatural work of the Spirit in the believer’s heart.
The Narrow Way and the Cost of Discipleship
Jesus does not shy away from warning his followers about the cost of discipleship. He describes the way to life as narrow and hard: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14). This teaching is difficult because it confronts the notion that following the way of Jesus is easy or popular. Instead, it involves self-denial, perseverance, and sometimes suffering for the sake of righteousness.
The Call to Humility and Servanthood
In a culture that prizes status and power, Jesus’ call to humility and servanthood is profoundly countercultural. He teaches, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26-28). This teaching of Jesus is difficult because it requires a renunciation of pride and a willingness to put others’ needs above one’s own.
Conclusion
The teachings of Jesus are radical precisely because they call for a transformation of the heart and a reordering of one’s entire life around the values of the kingdom of God. They are difficult because they confront our deepest attachments, challenge our natural inclinations, and demand a level of love, self-sacrifice, and obedience to the Word that is humanly impossible apart from the grace of God. As the apostle John reminds us, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3)–not because they are easy, but because God empowers his people to obey through the indwelling Spirit.
The enduring challenge of Jesus’ teachings lies in their capacity to expose our need for grace and to draw us into deeper dependence on God. They are not merely ideals to be admired, but commands to be obeyed, even when they are hard. In this way, the difficult teachings of Jesus continue to confront, convict, and ultimately transform all who would follow him.