Was Jesus political?

By Mark Sullivan

Who was the recognized government during Jesus’ time?
Rome occupied Israel during the time of Jesus, but they were an adversarial invading army...
Much like the Nazi German forces occupied France... the French people never recognized Germany as their government...
Neither did Israel recognized Rome as their government...
Israel still had their own recognized government, it was ruled by the Sanhedrin by appointed Priests, Scribes and Pharisees... the religious leaders were considered by the people of Israel as their recognized government...
Hmmm... I believe Jesus also recognized them as Israel’s government, and He was not shy in speaking out against their hypocrisy...
In Matthew 23 alone, Jesus calls these religious leaders names 16 times.
The names are
- “hypocrites” (7 times),
- “sons of Hell” (once),
- “blind guides” (twice),
- “fools and blind” (3 times),
- “white washed sepulchres” (once)
- “serpents” (once),
- “offspring of vipers” (once).
To deny this as political, is to deny what was real and true in the culture of the time...
Hmmm... Since Jesus was without sin, might we deduce that name-calling as such is not a sin?
Hmmm... Since everything Jesus did was righteous and virtuous, might we even deduce that accurate name-calling is a virtue?
Remember it was these religious government leaders (politicians) who plotted to kill Jesus throughout His 3 1/2 years of ministry...
It was these same politicians who arrested Him, illegally tried Him using false witnesses, and condemned Him...
Yet they were not allowed to kill Him by edict of the occupying army of Rome, so they appealed to the occupying governer to demanded “crucify Him”!!!
Jesus was not a-political... He was very outspoken against the recognized government of the people Israel...
I believe He was political, He represented the Kingdom of God... and it was His political opponents who were responsible for lying, plotting, defaming and His murder...
Why? Becouse He would not bow to their rule... this was nothing but a political spirit opposing the Kingdom of God...
Is America any different?
We in America are not under occupation by an invading army (even though it may seem like it), we elect our leaders to represent us, not to rule over us... to protect and defend us, and our deeply held religious beliefs as defined by the Constitution and our Bill of Rights... not by executive order (edict)...
Just like during Jesus’ time we too have political leaders who are,
- “hypocrites”
- “sons of Hell”
- “blind guides”
- “fools and blind”
- “white washed sepulchres”
- “serpents”
- “offspring of vipers”
attempting to silence us with fear and rule over us demanding by executive order (edict) that we obey or else...
This is the same political spirit who ruled over the people during the time of Jesus... same lies, same deceiver...
Let me ask you, what part of a lie is the truth?
And when you believe the lie, you empower the liar...
One more thought... these same politicians brought a coin to Jesus and asked Him...
“So tell us, then, what you think. Is it proper for us Jews to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Jesus knew the malice that was hidden behind their cunning ploy and said, “Why are you testing me, you imposters who think you have all the answers? Show me one of the Roman coins.”
So they brought him a silver coin used to pay the tax.
“Now, tell me, whose head is on this coin and whose inscription is stamped on it?”
“Caesar's,” they replied.
Jesus said, “Precisely, for the coin bears the image of the emperor Caesar. Well, then, you should pay the emperor what is due to the emperor. But because you bear the image of God, give back to God all that belongs to Him.”
Matthew 22:17-21
So let me ask you, who did Caesar claim to be? A god, right?
Hmmm... was Jesus was asking them a deeper question?
‘Who do you believe God is?’ ‘Is it Caesar’?
‘If you believe he is god, give to him’... but if he is not God, give it to God’...
So Church, rise up... your time of silence is no more... for this sleeping giant is about to wake up... speak up... and hold our recognized government accountable to uphold the Constitution and our Bill of Rights!!!
I for one, will not be silent... how about you?