The Political Implications of Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
What's happening?
The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are events central to Christian theology and to the Christian faith. Here's some context for the important political dimensions of these events. In the first century, the Roman Empire ruled over much of the Mediterranean world, including the region of Palestine where Jesus lived and ministered. The political context of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection cannot be understood and should not be discussed without considering the relationship between the Jewish people and the Roman Empire.
At the time of Jesus' ministry, Palestine was a province of the Roman Empire, and the Jewish people lived under Roman occupation. While some Jews - including the Chief Priests - collaborated with the Romans, many others chafed under their rule and longed for a more human alternative and freedom. Some believed that a Messiah would come to overthrow the Roman occupiers and establish a Jewish kingdom.
Thus, Jesus' teachings and actions were highly politicized. He preached about the coming of the Kingdom of God, which many of his followers understood as a political reality that would overthrow the Roman Empire. Jesus also challenged the authority of the Jewish religious leaders and the Roman authorities, who saw him as a threat to their power.
The political nature of Jesus' message and actions
ultimately led to his arrest, trial, and execution. The charge
against him was sedition, or inciting rebellion against Rome (which in a sense was true - and needed). Pilate, the Roman governor of Palestine, asks Jesus if he is the king of
the Jews, a charge that would have been seen as a direct challenge to Roman
authority. Roman authority proclaimed Caesar as God. Jesus wasn't here for that, so...yeah. It was about to go down! And it did! It went all the way down! Jesus was lynched for daring to state in word and most importantly, in deed, that every human life was of sacred worth. Yep, they lynched him.
Not the end of the story!
Well, here comes the resurrection with another round of political implications. For those who believe in the lordship of Jesus, the resurrection is not just another miraculous event. It is the greatest table-flipping ever! It affirms the power of God over the forces of empire and
oppression, and it proclaims the ultimate triumph of righteousness (translated justice) over tyranny and violence.
In the centuries after Jesus' death and resurrection, the
political nature of these events continued to be significant. Christianity
emerged as a powerful force in the Roman Empire, challenging the authority of
the ruling elite and offering an alternative vision of power and authority. The
Christian message of love, justice, and equality resonated with people across
the empire, and it eventually played a role in the fall of the Roman Empire
itself.
So....?
Christians should pay attention to Jesus - centering his work of love and justice, challenging the current social order that feed the forces of oppression and injustice in the world. If I squint hard enough, I can glimpse areas of hope. However, if the world is to truly reflect God's vision of justice, peace, and reconciliation, then the Christians need:
a) deny self - that is to cease and desist the promotion of personal and supremacist agendas.
b) take up the cross - that is to do the work of resisting evil, injustice, and oppression in every form they present themselves, even at the risk of losing money, power, and connections. (You can re-read my post titled "The Disruptor" for some specifics)
c) follow Jesus - that is to proclaim the kingdom of God in word and deed.
Easter (the resurrection of Jesus is not a moment of grandeur; it is an ongoing movement of grace. It is not a conclusion; it is a continuation.
I said what I said. See you in the comments.
#politics #resurrection #readingthebiblefromthemargins #posteaster
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