I couldn’t imagine being a first century Jew. My life would have one constant theme of God, religion, politics, and life. . . it was all the same to these people, there was no separation. There were political and religious zealots that have carried my people through these hard times with tenacity and harsh words against the Romans. There were also these political and religious sticklers that taught and interpreted the laws of old. They weren’t much for zealotousness (work with me here) but were still very anti-Roman empire. Everybody was against the government, but nobody was accomplishing much; the Romans had their stuff together. They ruled the world!

Jesus had this conversation with the disciples about this very subject. He looked at these people and asked them who they thought he was. One guy speaks up and declared Jesus to be the one who would liberate them from “the man” (I know it’s a stretch, but that really is what he said). Jesus put a little gold star by the man’s name on the goodie board. Then Jesus tells the folks he’s going back to Jerusalem to get thrown in prison, flogged, and die the worst of all deaths. This makes no sense. How can the very man that was to set them free from Roman oppression (and to them all oppression for all time) be thrown in prison, flogged, and die the worst of all deaths? He should be getting some funds together to purchase some tanks, bazookas, and some good old American-made nuclear weaponry (ha, ha, ha, ha. . . had to throw that one in there)! The same guy who declared Jesus the liberator says he would never let that happen. Jesus busts out the ruler and thwarts the guy on the proverbial hand. Jesus was trying to tell them he had a much greater purpose than temporary political oppression. Jesus came to change the deep rooted thinking process of the time. He wanted to show them there was a way to stand up for what you believe in without attacking by a physical force but instead attack with a loving and well-balanced life. He didn’t want them to back down from political tension, but he didn’t want them to start lashing out with harsh words or arms. The only documented physical force Jesus used against anyone was not the oppressive empire, but against the political and religious sticklers who were abusing the laws of old (these laws were not like today’s laws, they told people what to eat or not eat or even when to plant seed or not plant seed. . . every aspect of their lives were based on these laws these few men had the “right” to interpret).

I guess all I’m getting at is this message of Jesus and the great declaration Peter made in the gospel of Jesus being the Christ and Son of God might have been a bit misunderstood. Maybe there is a deeper implication here or a deeper message to be heard and delved in to. Maybe there is a better way to settle a dispute of oppression without kicking somebody in the crotch. Did the Paul ever kill any of the Roman guards or civic leaders when he was thrown in prison or flogged? He did accept the punishment dealt to him, and he even found a way to turn that frown upside-down by channeling the pain into hope and joy. That takes me a few more places that would be better left for another time. . . another time. . .

Think about it! Pray about it! Test the waters, and tell me what you think.

Peace,

Josh