On one occasion Jesus walked into the temple where people were supposed to come near to God but people were in the lobby selling cattle, sheep, and doves at exorbitant prices. They were also unfairly exchanging money, taking advantage of people who had traveled there and would need an animal to sacrifice. Jesus did not promote a peaceful environment or kind business practices. Instead he made a whip and drove the greedy businessmen out of the temple, along with the animals they were selling. Why didn’t Jesus simply provide some teaching on better business practices and explain that it’s possible to be a capitalist and compassionate at the same time? Because he wasn’t Mr. Rogers Jesus. Why did he pull the angry Indiana Jones routine on the merchants in the temple? Because he was a revolutionary leader.
He was a revolutionary leader. You don’t get crucified for being kind. You get crucified for being too radical. And let’s be clear: Jesus’ life wasn’t taken from him because he was too weak to stand up and defend himself. No, he died because he chose to lay down his life. Why? Because it was necessary to advance the revolution. He was strong enough to choose not to defend himself. In fact he was so strong that three days after laying down his life, he defeated death by walking out of his grave.
Because Jesus is a revolutionary, but his was a revolution of love. Revolutions tend to be about changing the power in a certain geographical territory, but the only geography that concerns Jesus is that of a person’s soul. Jesus came to bring a revolution of the heart.
Feel free to leave any comments. Thank you to all of you who were a part of the discussion on Wednesday night. Have any of you had any further thoughts on the commerce that goes on in the church today? Entitlement to services paid for with time or money, right or wrong? What does the landscape of your heart look like and how is Jesus seeking bring His revolution to it? PEACE, PC
I believe its an all out warfare! Its begun in my heart, especially when I’m acting like a pharasie,or acting out in control, with NO PATIENCE. Also I need more discussion on LOVE/LIKE.
Hal,
I see love and like as different . I think “love” is a way of being, a way of viewing the world (along with being a verb and a way to interact with others in our lives).
Ultimately, God is love and Jesus came to send that message to us.
Liking is a human emotion that is fluid and changes. I can like a person who does something nice for me and not like someone who hurts my feelings. I aspire to love everyone regardless of how they treat me. (I only have varying degrees of success with this.)
Also, stop being so hard on yourself!! We all fall short and not one of us is perfect. You have only shown love, kindness and generosity of spirit. While I realize that you are struggling internally with needing control and patience, I hope that you see that you are a gift to the world.
LOVE,
Aisha
After reading this, I’m totally convicted by the phrase: “He was strong enough not to have to defend himself”. Wow… I’ve always considered it a strength when we are able to stand-up and defend ourselves. How many places in our lives – personal relationships, work dramas, church issues, etc. – do we continually go on the defensive, either as a protection for ourselves, our friends, our mission or to make sure that there is justice and truth in a particular situation or circumstance? But after reading this I admit that I am really struggling. Maybe the true spirit of strength lies in our ability not to be defensive, but to do nothing and allow the “enemy” to hang themselves? I admit that I’m torn between finding the balance of strength by silence and strength in action. The two seem so diametrically opposed, yet I get the sense that they both must co-exist together. I don’t want to be a doormat in my faith or other aspects of my life, but I know that God is so much bigger than any of us and the pettiness of any of these types of situations and He is in control and nothing will happen that He hasn’t ordained. Shouldn’t that thought alone be comfort enough? Again, I admit that I’m struggling….
Todd,
I can appreciate your post because I am there too. I struggle between when to “fight” and when to stand down. I look to the Serenity Prayer for guidance. It is well known, short, yet for me says it all…
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Aisha, I too struggle with fight or flight according to my anger, and patience: you know that I am a control freick. I love the Serenity Prayer: if only I could obey. You are loved by all who know you.
We all like the approval of those around us, so sometimes I reverse Gods approval, seeking first man’s recognition. Is this the opposite of Eph.2 8-9 ?