I am sure that Jesus was seen as just another upstart cult leader as he gathered his odd assortment of followers together. He frequently ignored traditional laws in the interest of restoring human dignity and hope. Marked by diversity and inclusiveness, the community that gathered around Jesus exhibited willingness to challenge the complacent acceptance of religious law. The Gospels remind us that Jesus especially welcomed those who were disenfranchised in that culture…women, children, lepers, tax collectors, and many whose minds or bodies separated them from the worshiping community. Jesus not only welcomed them into a worshiping community, but also into a teaching community.
Worshiping and teaching continue to be the heart of the servant community of Jesus Christ. Sustained by the Holy Spirit, we are to move beyond what has been to experience the presence of Christ in fresh ways. That may mean opening ourselves to new understandings of faithful discipleship through prayerful discernment grounded in scripture, tradition, experience and reason. The community of Jesus looked at the world around it with new eyes and responded with action. Do we?
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If we want to do a little research, should we restrict our search to 1st century Messianic cults, Phariseic cults, Ebionites, Essenes, Camel Hair Clubs or The Peoples Front of Judea? What I am trying to ask is,"What are some of the specific applicable cults of the era?".
Ralph Waldo Emmerson's essay, "Self Reliance", states that, 'Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist,'.
Jesus was setting precedent for being a man.
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