Jesus: The Consumate Political Figure
58PREFACE: Imagine if you can, the Jesus revealed in the Bible,
running as an American Presidential candidate in the current
election cycle. What type of response do you think he would
encounter in the various caucuses around the country? What would
the response be among the other candidates, especially since the
personal identification with religion has seemed to take a higher
than normal priority? How would the stand of Jesus on any and all
issues differ with those of the other candidates? I believe that
if Jesus were lterally included as a candidate, it would be the
most memorable election in United States history, regardless of
the election outcome. And that's presuming that Jesus actually
lived till the election! After all, the first time around, Jesus
received a very democratic death!
In this day of highly charged debates surrounding both politics
and religion, it is interesting indeed to contemplate the idea of
Jesus as a political figure. Obviously, you will have some who
will advocate all sides of this issue, but I prefer to allow the
words of Jesus Himself to determine the political nature of this
controversial Jew. It's the least we can do, since Pilate chose to
take the same course in dealing with Jesus.
We find Pilate confronting Jesus when brought to Him by the Jewish
leadership. He gets right to the point. He asks Jesus about his
Kingship. This is to be expected in the day and time, seeing that
Rome was constantly having to suppress Jewish rebellion. Rather
than responding in like resistance and opposition to Roman
authority, Jesus responds with legal precision. His pleading, "My
Kingdom is not of this world. If it were, then would my servants
fight to prevent me from being delivered to you." immediately
informs Pilate that Jesus was not attempting to usurp Rome, but
instead was operating outside the jurisdiction of Roman power.
Upon further examination, Pilate was left with no legal alternative
than to judge in favor of Jesus with the pronouncement to the Jews,
"I find no fault in Him."
Interestingly, Jesus never denied having a Kingdom or being a King.
Simply put, Jesus was not considered a threat to Roman authority,
which was the crux of Pilate's inquiry. After all, Pilate was
responsible to see that the interests of Rome were upheld and
enforced at all times. If the actions or words of Jesus constituted
a threat to Roman rule, appropriate measures would have been swiftly
taken.
So, if Jesus had a Kingdom and was King of this realm, why wasn't he
harshly dealt with as a political insurrectionist? Why was His
innocence declared in the face of these legal facts? Could it be that
Jesus operated in a political jurisdiction which was off limits to
the reach of Rome? Or maybe Rome's reach was limited. If so, what
type of entity would allow for official recognition, yet limited
jurisdiction by Imperial Rome? Maybe the words of Jesus will give
insight again.
At some point within the 3 1/2 year ministry of Jesus, he made an
announcement to His Disciples. He stated, "I will build my church,..."
This is significant in the fact that the word translated "church" is
the Greek word "Ekklesia." It is a strict political and legal term
which refers to a called out assembly of male citizens who conduct the
political affairs of their group. This term used by Jesus stood in
contrast to terms already in use in Roman Law, such as corporation. It
also contrasted the Jewish synagogue, also legally recognized in Roman
Law.
Not long before the crucifixion was to take place, Jesus was speaking
to the Jewish Religious Leaders and He had made a pronouncement they
couldn't find comforting. He told them that "The Kingdom of God will
be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruit
thereof." The religious leaders of that Day had forfeited the right to
rule with God's approval. They would shortly find themselves without a
land of borders, with a capitol city destroyed by Roman wrath. Within
this context would the modern political manifestation known as the
Ekklesia be birthed. The interests of Jesus for His people, those who
believe in the literal death burial and resurrection of Jesus, would be
fulfilled in this separate political institution.
We see this reflected in the writings of the Disciples of Jesus whom He
commissioned to take His message to the entire World. The Roman Empire
is still feeling the effects of this political activism, whereby the
political citizens of the nations of this World are presented with
citizenship in another Nation. This Nation without earthly borders are
commanded to live as aliens while residing on this earth, presenting
the rights and privileges of another realm to those who are foreigners
to this Heavenly Kingdom.
And the modern manifestation of Rome, the United States, reflects this
reality within her body of Law, known strictly as Roman or Civil Law.
The Ekklesia of God's people have been provided the legal means to
live according to the commands of Jesus without coming in direct
conflict with the powers that be, just as Jesus did. After all, didn't
Jesus tell Pilate that "The power that you possess was given to you
from above."? How much more political can you get?
