What is peculiar? Do I Meet the Criteria?

I had this flash of thought at 1 a.m. on a Sabbath morning. I had to look up the word peculiar.

From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
Peculiar

: characteristic of only one person, group, or thing : distinctive

2

: different from the usual or normal:

a : special, particular

b : odd, curious

c : eccentric, queer

 

All of my Adventist life I have heard that God's followers are to be thought of as a "peculiar people." That statement has often caused me to cringe. I saw this image in my mind of this sort of cult-like individual and the details of all that it entailed seemed, for the lack of a better word, uninviting. What does it mean to be peculiar in this world we live in, in relationship to the living example that Jesus set for us?

 

Ah! A revelation of sorts smacks me square in the gut. Jesus was peculiar. Jesus was a breath of fresh air to those that were living in their own "spiritual" captivity. Jesus broke the norm. The church leaders, most of them, didn't understand Him. They didn't appreciate the way that He would not submit to their rituals and their traditions. Jesus was special, odd, and probably seen as a bit eccentric. Jesus, the Savior of the world, who sat in the home of a Gentile was the epitome of peculiar. He was the One who stood among the crowds and preached about God the Father, Heaven, and Amazing Grace. He didn't hammer the laws and rules over the heads of the people. He LOVED.

 

So what is peculiar in this world of polar opposites? I believe that it means living a life cloaked in the GRACE of Jesus. I believe that a person who understands the PEACE the passes  ALL understanding would be viewed as peculiar. This world does not understand the pure love of Jesus. The love that will never fail us. To be a person who loves like Christ Jesus in a world that is hurting and at constant odds with itself...IS a peculiar person. I am good with that. Count me in.