Really, what would Jesus do?

Really, what would Jesus do?



It seems politics has entered into “religion” again this election season and some politicians are quoted as making an issue of how Jesus would vote, thus, giving rise to the above question and also bringing to mind the old saying, “sure sounds like the pot calling the kettle black”. One very important thing is definitely missing from the reports however—“quotes” from Jesus expressing his answer. OK, Jesus isn’t granting many interviews these days, but we do have an archive of his reported actions and recorded words from which we can draw solid conclusions of what his answers and comments would be.



First, a very tiny bit of background about Jewish politics to help in understanding the context of Jesus’ statements and actions. You may remember that for the many centuries following the Babylonian conquest down till Jesus’ day the Jews, for the most part, were not independent of the control and influence of the ‘gentile’ world powers and no King of the Davidic line had sat on the throne in Jerusalem. But now things were different. Due to Bible prophecies’ pointing to that time period as the time for the Messiah to appear and also as the Jews observed the various and many ‘signs’ Jesus was performing (also prophesied) and, additionally, because of their own strong and increasing nationalistic aspirations, the Jews were hoping, and even more than that, expecting Jesus to become their national, political ‘Deliverer’ and even conspired to make him their King. This report is archived atJohn 6:14,15: “After the people had seen Jesus work this miracle, they began saying, "This must be the Prophet who is to come into the world!" [Note: This was probably a reference to the promise made in Deut. 18:15-19.] Jesus realized that they would try to force him to be their king. So he went up on a mountain, where he could be alone.” (Brackets are from An Understandable Version.) Jesus’ taking actions to avoid this political entanglement should speak volumes to us. Was this a single, isolated incident? Let’s see.



Political intrigue may well have been a motivating factor behind other incidents. We can find a report of one starting at Matthew 22:15: “The Pharisees got together and planned how they could trick Jesus into saying something wrong. They sent some of their followers and some of Herod's followers to say to him [Note: These were members of a POLITICAL PARTY favoring King Herod], "Teacher, we know that you are honest. You teach the truth about what God wants people to do. And you treat everyone with the same respect, no matter who they are. Tell us what you think! Should we pay taxes to the Emperor or not?" Jesus knew their evil thoughts and said, "Why are you trying to test me? You show-offs! Let me see one of the coins used for paying taxes." They brought him a silver coin, and he asked, "Whose picture and name are on it?" "The Emperor's," they answered. Then Jesus told them, "Give the Emperor what belongs to him and give God what belongs to God." His answer surprised them so much that they walked away.” (Brackets are An Understandable Version; all-caps are mine.) Jesus avoided their carefully set trap while at the same time deftly refusing to allow himself to be pulled into this political dispute. Why would Jesus so consistently avoid political discourse? It probably has more to do with his earliest opportunity to become involved with such than with any of the other possible reasons.



All the other opportunities Jesus had to meddle in politics pale into insignificance when compared to the first and foremost opportunity to do so with which he was presented. We can note the details of this incident as reported at Luke 4:5-8: “And he led him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to him, "I will give you all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. "Therefore if you worship before me, it shall all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"” Just think of all the ‘good’ Jesus could have accomplished if he had accepted ‘dominion’ over all the kingdoms/nations of the earth and the thousands of years and billions of lives that would have been saved . . . NOT! For this would have involved forsaking ‘true worship’ and engaging in ‘false worship’ and also with pledging allegiance or aligning himself (the same mistake Adam made) with Satan, the “ruler of the world” (remember Satan’s rulership includes all those political kingdoms he offered to give Jesus “domain” over then and NOW, also see John 14:30; Rev. 13:2; Daniel 10:20-21). As we can read above, Jesus firmly rejected that opportunity and course of action! Can you see the pattern developing? Yes, Jesus firmly rejected the false reasoning of using or working from within the “system” to “improve” things.



Is there any part of Jesus’ pattern of behavior that does not apply to or is not to be closely adhered to by those who really want to be his followers and more than just “nominal Christians”? What does “WWJD?” mean if not that? Consider this then: if ever there were something worth fighting for in this world it was embodied in Jesus, was it not? So did Jesus allow his followers to fight for him and for what he stood? (Matthew 26:52) No! Why not? Jesus gives us the answer within his answer to Pilate found at John 18:36, “Jesus answered: “My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.” (See John 17:14,16; James 1:27; 4:4 and 1 John 5:19).



Can it truly be said that the politicians, their partisans or any other ‘leaders’ of this world and their followers are adhering to Jesus’ commands found at Luke 6:27-30? “But I say to you who are listening, Continue to love your enemies, to do good to those hating you, to bless those cursing you, to pray for those who are insulting you. To him that strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also; and from him that takes away your outer garment, do not withhold even the undergarment. Give to everyone asking you, and from the one taking your things away do not ask [them] back.”



The reason for asking “WWJD?” is so that we today can do the right thing, isn’t it? So the question becomes: Really, what should I/we do? Jesus himself has provided us the answer by his actions and in his own words.

 

I am happy to know that it was interesting to you.

Thanks,

HOG

 

Lady,
You say:

I say: You need to read it again!

Yes, that is right. Because of the facts of the situation revealed at Luke 4:5-8, Jesus was no part of the world, that is completely neutral, and so his followers should be be no part of the world also!

 

Mr. Spinkles,

That brings to mind some good questions.


Here is an interesting quotation, “They refused to take any active part in the civil administration or the military defence of the empire. . . . it was impossible that the Christians, without renouncing a more sacred duty, could assume the character of soldiers, of magistrates, or of princes.”—History of Christianity (New York, 1891), Edward Gibbon, pp. 162, 163.



Why did the early Christians refuse “to take any active part in the civil administration or the military” making it “impossible” for them to “assume the character of soldiers, of magistrates, or of princes”?



Primary reason: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. (Matthew 22:37)

Secondary reason: The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, "Love others as much as you love yourself. (Matthew 22:39)



Next question, if the early Christians were that way, shouldn’t we be also?

 

Gerani1248 vbmenu_register("postmenu_28908", true);

I am a member of several different forums, none of which will tell you who or what I am. But you are welcome to thinks so, if that makes you happy, but it may be a sign of a narrow or closed mind.

Hogcaller was originally a CB radio 'handle'. I keep it as a 'screen name' as it is a fairly accurate description of what I like to do, especially in a place like this. I snap their rubber tails and then listen to'em squeal.