One of the reasons so many people never achieve their goals, see their dreams come true, reach their full potential, or fulfill their God-given destinies is because of the size of their BUTS. 

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If you think Jesus was a great leader and teacher, but find it hard to believe in his resurrection, you’re in good company. Even his disciples were skeptical. But those same followers were the ones who would later become the spokesmen of a new movement: the church. They would maintain faith in the midst of incredible suffering. Many died still claiming that Jesus was their Savior. So what do we make of this defining event—the one that became the foundation of their faith . . . and of ours?

At Passover, Jesus gathered his followers and spelled out a new relational arrangement between God and mankind: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” But Jesus wasn’t celebratory. He seemed troubled. Initiating this new covenant with God would require sacrifice. What came next would confuse his followers and send them scattering.

Jesus didn’t come to initiate Judaism 2.0. He came came to offer something entirely new to the world: a new covenant that would forever change humankind’s relationship to God. And with that new covenant came a new ethic—one that insisted the greatest choose the back of the line.

The words unlimited and unconditional make us suspicious. Whether those words describe an insurance policy, cellphone agreement, or meal plan for a college student, we assume unlimited is really limited and unconditional has some conditions. That suspicion extends to our relationship with God. Unconditional love? Unlimited forgiveness? There must be a catch. But what if there isn’t?

Jesus introduced the most powerful, transformational, and inspirational leadership principle on the planet. Every leader you respect practices it. The leaders you don’t repect, don’t practice it. You can lead without it, but you won’t be a leader worth following unless you embrace it.

We surround ourselves with people who like us. We surround ourselves with people who are like us. But Jesus calls us to maintain relationships with those who disagree with us. How do we do that?

Jesus claimed to be greater than the temple. He made the temple obsolete. Most of his followers assumed his end game was to declare himself king. The more discerning among them sensed something else was going on. Jesus spoke with authority but refused to take charge. He wielded extraordinary power, but never for himself. What was he up to?

Who do you hate? You walk the other way when you see them coming. You hope your son or daughter never brings them home. You know for sure they’re wrong. And maybe you’re right… but what does Jesus have to say about that?

Something in us is tempted to believe God loves his Law more than his people. We’re tempted to prioritize rules over people. Maybe you left church because somebody prioritized the Bible over your divorced mother or gay brother. But Jesus came to offer us a life greater than keeping religious rules.