The Politics of Jesus

1. The Politics of Jesus Changing the world through weakness, not power

2. Was Jesus political? • What were the political issues of His day? • Poverty • The Economy • War • Racism • Competing parties (stories) • What’s the question UNDER the questions?

3. “Political?” • Greek “politikos” • Means “affairs of the city” or “common good” • Concerned with the “polis” or city • There is ALWAYS some transcendent claim being made

4. Competing Stories • We think in stories • Find one we think explains life and live out of it • Good and bad guys • Conservative and liberal • Temptation to divide the word into US and THEM… • But underneath it, we all are searching for PEACE

5. Stories in the 1st Century • 1. THE DOMINATION STORY: PEACE AND SECURITY THROUGH BEING IN CONTROL • “If only we were in charge!” • 2. THE REVOLUTION STORY: PEACE AND SECURITY THROUGH VIOLENT OVERTHROW OF OPPRESSORS. • “If only THEY weren’t in control!” • 3. THE PURIFICATION STORY: PEACE AND SECURITY THROUGH SHAMING/BLAMING, SCAPEGOATING, AND EXCLUDING A MINORITY. • “If only THOSE PEOPLE would change - or disappear.”

6. Stories in the 1st Century • 4. THE VICTIMIZATION STORY: PEACE AND SECURITY (and identity) THROUGH PRESERVING THE MEMORY OF A PAST INJUSTICE. • “If only our oppressors would be brought to justice.” • 5. THE ISOLATION STORY: PEACE AND SECURITY THROUGH WITHDRAWING FROM THE CORRUPT, DOOMED MAJORITY. • “If only we could be left alone to be ourselves by ourselves.” • 6. THE ACCUMULATION STORY: PEACE AND SECURITY THROUGH ACCUMULATING POSSESSIONS IN A COMPETITIVE ECONOMY. • “If only we could buy, enjoy, and stockpile what we desire.”

7. Stories in the 1st Century • 1. Domination story = Caesar, Pilate (with Sadducees and Herodians) • 2. Revolution story = Zealots • 3. Purification story = Scribes and Pharisees • 4. Victimization story = Galilean farmers, Samaritans, “sinners” • 5. Isolation story = Essenes • 6. Consumption story = rich landowners, stewards, “Gentiles”

8. Stories in the 1st Century • Domination: Us over them • Revolution: Us versus them • Purification: Us versus some of us • Victimization: Us in spite of them • Isolation: Us away from them • Accumulation: Us competing with them • Are these stories still at work today?

9. Where did Jesus land? • The Kingdom of God • Part of a long story • Genesis 1 (God is King) • Genesis 3 (Man is King) • Genesis 4 (Founding of society) • Genesis 11 (Babel) • Genesis 12 (Abe) • Exodus (“kingdom of priests,” a “set apart” people”) • 1 Samuel 8 (Like the nations) • Prophets (Come Back!!)

10. The Kingdom • Jesus comes on the scene and starts talking about the “kingdom” of God • Word means “king’s dome” • The place where God reigns • Jesus came to establish what it would look like when God reigns over a life or a community • ALWAYS looks like Jesus

11. Daniel 2 31“Your Majesty looked, and there before you stood a large statue—an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. 32 The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. 34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth36“This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king. 37 Your Majesty, you are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; 38 in your hands he has placed all mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds in the sky. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold. 39“After you, another kingdom will arise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth. 40 Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron—for iron breaks and smashes everything—and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others. 41 Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay. 42 As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. 43 And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay. 44“In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. 45 This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces. “The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.”

12. Mark 12 13 ”Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial taxto Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. 17Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.”

13. Matthew 17 24 ”After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” 25“Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” 26“From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

14. The Kingdom • “My kingdom is not of this world.”—John 18:36 • Essence NOT location • What does this mean? • That the ways and means of Jesus are not like the kingdoms we have seen • A kingdom founded on weakness at the cross • The HIGH POINT of the revelation of God, of this HIDDEN (Col. 3) kingdom

15. Ephesians 6 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

16. Ephesians 6 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

17. Welcome to the Machine • Systems and structures • People and problems • Sin with momentum • Think Genesis 1-3 again and again • Think the Matrix, the Hunger Games, etc. • Ecclesiastes 1:9“What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” • What does Jesus say?

18. Pagan Time

19. Kingdom Time New aeon (age) New age marked by suffering love and the rule of the kingdom of God, this is what it means to live apocalyptically Old age marked by fallen powers, in which violence checks violence Both are happening at the same time right now Old aeon (age)

20. I’m from the future Jesus comes into reality as the representative of the New Humanity Humanity as it is New Humanity

21. Ephesians 2 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

22. Ephesians 1 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spiritof wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

23. Phil 3 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.15All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained17Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

24. Matthew 5 1Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit,    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are those who mourn,    for they will be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek,    for they will inherit the earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,    for they will be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful,    for they will be shown mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart,    for they will see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers,    for they will be called children of God.10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

25. Matthew 5 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

26. Salt and Light • The claim: • “Jesus taught that participation in God’s reign requires the disciplined practices of a Christ-following countercultural community that obeys God by publicly engaging in working for justice and refusing to trust in the world’s powers and authorities.”—Kingdom Ethics, Stassen

27. Salt and Light • Entire SOM is about obedience • Focus is not on the salt, but on its losing its saltiness… • Losing distinction and identity from the world… • Greek for “tasteless” can also mean “foolish” • Foolishness begins and ends the SOM

28. Salt and Light • Salt is used in the Bible: purity, covenant loyalty, seasoning… • Giving away what is distinct about you ruins the salt. • “Trampled on” • You’re a joke. You’re not taken seriously. • The church today?

29. Salt and Light • Isaiah 2: 1-5 • This is what Jesus is doing here in the SOM! • “Teach us how to live!” • The result of all these teachings are…set apart people doing good deeds! • Through serving and weakness, not through our power! • This is how the CHURCH is different! • People, not issues! • Why is this so hard? • Control.

30. Love your enemies?! • Matthew 5:38-48 • “You have heard it said…” • Jesus as the authoritative interpreter of the Law • In context, this command is of disciples of Jesus not governments

31. Historical Context • The hand • In Jewish culture, the hands had huge significance • Right=Clean (eating, Right hand of God) • Left=Unclean (didn’t eat with this hand) • Two ways to hit: slap or hit • Slap was to show who was superior • Only hit an equal • Could slap with the LEFT or backhand with the RIGHT • Both DEHUMANIZE • Turning the cheek calls out the system, causes confusion…

32. Historical Context • Tunic and Coat • Economy is falling apart • Families are selling land AND working on it to pay debt • 2 garments: Tunic and Coat • Deuteronomy says you can give your coat as a pledge to pay someone back • Nakedness=Shame • Noah’s sons • These actions would bring shame on the person suing…

33. Historical Context • Referring to Roman soldiers’ packs • A soldier traveling through a town could force someone to carry their pack one mile… • There were laws against allowing someone to carry the pack more than one mile… • Soldiers would get in HUGE trouble • Who has the power now? • Turns everything upside down

34. The Third Way • These are practical, tangible ways to call out inhumane systems • Not pacifism (flight) • Not violence (fight) • These things, this way, unmasks worldviews • Provokes imagination • Offers a chance to restore BOTH parties (the oppressor and the oppressed)!

35. Us vs. Them • Most pervasive narrative in our culture • Demonizes • Dehumanizes • Distances • Look at how PERSONAL the language is in this passage • Institutions cannot love

36. Why we hate this. • Fear. • The question is NOT, “What will happen if everyone did this?” • The question is, “What will happen if I do this and THEY don’t.” • Again, this is not a call to pure pacifism • It’s a call to be a people for the peoples of the world • The idol of safety • We’ve mostly turned Jesus into someone who looks like us, not the man who died on the cross

37. The God Who Loves Enemies • God is the ultimate enemy lover (Romans 5:8-10) • Jesus was slapped, stripped, and forced to carry a burden that was not His own! • He gives EVERYTHING at the cross! • 1 Peter 2:21-25 • Luke 23:24 (Imperfect tense there suggests he KEPT praying it) • Doing this humanizes people, it brings us face to face with their humanity • Col. 2:13-15

38. Love works. • Rwanda, South Africa, India, Civil Rights Movement • Call to discipleship means to renounce every personal right • Especially a convenient restriction on love • Where are the NEW stories to live by? • Myth of Redemptive Violence?! Been there. • Hit back harder until peace is achieved (Dark Knight Rises)

39. MLK Jr. “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction. So when Jesus says “Love your enemies,” he is setting forth a profound and ultimately inescapable admonition. Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies– or else? The chain reaction of evil–hate begetting hate, wars producing wars–must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.”

40. Imagination. • We live in a culture were people imagine for us • Romans 12-13 • Bracketed with LOVE • This is different from choosing sides, it’s choosing to love • Whatever that means… • People are hurting… • 1 Peter 5:8Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

41. A Community of Imagination • This is what the church is called to be… • Romans 12-13 • Transform your mind! • 1 Peter 2:9-12 • Live as aliens! HONOR EVERYONE! • “Christians are to live in ways that don’t make sense without God.” • See things differently… • Ephesians 2 • Is there life BEFORE death?

42. Allegiance to King and a Kingdom • Exodus 32 • Read and discuss. • They didn’t quit worshipping Yahweh • Acts 2 • “One is either a good German or a good Christian. It is impossible to be both at the same time”—Adolph Hitler

43. Practices, Reminders, and The Story • Our stories define our words • Love, bike, alien, kick • Christians have stepped into the story of Jesus • His story gives content to words like “love” and “righteousness” • We need to be reminded… • This is what “church” does…

44. Practices, Reminders, and The Story • Ways of remembering… • Practices that remind and provoke… • And work toward and end… • Confrontation (Matt. 18) • Breaking Bread (1 Cor. 11, Acts 2) • Giving (Luke 3, Acts 2-4) • Love (John 13:35) • Unity (Eph. 4, John 17) • NOT things to do, but things we ARE • Gal. 2:20

45. Scott and Cavanaugh “How can anyone anyone change the world and society at its roots without taking away freedom? Can it only be that God begins in a small way, at one single place in the world? For there MUST be a place, visible, tangible, where the salvation of the world can begin: that is, where the world becomes what it is supposed to be according to God’s plan. Beginning at that place, the new thing can spread abroad, but not through persuasion, not through indoctrination, not through violence. Everyone must have the opportunity to come and see. This place is church.”

46. Practices, Reminders, and The Story • Wanted to spend time on one practice in particular… • Baptism • Signifies many things: remission of sins, gift of the Holy Spirit, Death of the old self, appeal of a good conscience • Gal 3:26-29, 2 Cor. 5:16-21, Romans 6, Col. 2:9-15 • “Baptism was and is nothing less than a declaration of allegiance to God’s transcendent kingdom and a rejection of this present age.”—Hicks and Valentine

47. Sinking Sand (Matt. 7:25-29)

48. Alone and Together