That is the basis of misphat, the biblical concept of justice: that oppression and exploitation have no rightful place in God’s plan for humanity. For that reason an important aspect of loving our neighbor as ourselves is struggling for the freedom of all.
Fueled by their faith in God’s liberating love, throughout the millennia of biblical Israel’s existence many men and women lived and died questioning justice.
Their efforts and their devotion to misphat are shrined in biblical narratives spanning every stage of Israel’s development.
Century after century they held fast to malkuth shamayim, their unquestioned conviction that only God has the right to rule, even as their enemies defeated them, exploited them, starved them, broke them in body and in spirit and crushed them beneath the heavy heel of oppression.
It was into this landscape of hunger and poverty, turmoil and tumult that Jesus of Nazareth was born. Unfortunately, the hard truth of his setting in life has been softened by those who either misunderstand the realities of his origins or have sought to mask them for fear that the truth might somehow weaken their own political or ecclesiastical control.
In such perennial Christmas favorites as “It Came upon a Midnight Clear” and ‘Silent Night,” Jesus is portrayed as warmly ensconced in an uncomplicated setting of total and lasting “peace;”
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright….
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.
The truth is that the harsh social, economic, and political factors of Jesus’ life as a colonial subject of the Roman Empire helped to shape the holistic spirituality that under-guided his earthly message and ministry.
In this sense, the ministry of Jesus paralleled God’s self-revelation in the Exodus event: both God and Jesus intervened in history in response to the cry for liberation of the oppressed people of Israel.
And like the God of the Exodus, Jesus not only responded to a particular system of political tyranny, he also asserted the injustice of God as the basis for struggling to vanquish degrading social practices and oppressive political structures for all time to come.
His repeated emphasis on the “Kingdom of God,” that is, the sole ruler-ship of the God of justice, his unrelenting focus on freedom and liberation, on the right of all to have abundance in every sphere of inner life and outer life; and his ever present concern for the poor and unprotected together constitute a platform for liberation that far exceeds in its scope even the most ambitious secular political agenda.
THE ARREST, TRIAL AND MURDER OF JESUS AS A RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL DISSIDENT
The pervasive presence of the Roman colonial domination of Israel and other regions is clearly reflected in the Gospels. Luke begins his account of Jesus’s birth by citing an edict issued by the emperor Augustus that all Israelites must return to their home villages to register in a census (Luke 2:1), apparently for reasons of taxation. In the midst of the spiritual loftiness of the Beatitudes, Jesus refers to Roman courts and prisons (Matthew 5:25), as well as to innocent passerby arbitrarily forced to do the bidding of Roman soldiers – including the Jewish religious and political leaders as well as the Priests, who were mostly puppets of the Roman Empire (Matthew 5:41).
Mark’s account of soldiers compelling Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus’ cross to Calvary (Mark 15:21) is an example of this latter practice. Moreover, the presence of the Roman military was so pervasive during Jesus’ life and ministry.
After the death of King Herod in 4 B.C, Herod’s legacy of terror and exploitation for Rome continued under three of his sons: Archelaus, Antipas and Philip – among whom his kingdom was divided. Of those three, the real heir of their father’s legacy of decadence and cruelty was Antipas, whom Rome appointed ruler over Galilee, the home Province of Jesus.
It was Herod Antipas who was responsible for the beheading of John the Baptist (Mark 6:14-29) and who sought the death of Jesus as well (Luke 13:31; 23:6-12).
The treachery and despotism of the herodians loomed large in the world of Jesus and touched everyone around him for the entire of his life one earth.
The cruelty and tyranny reign of Herod and his son Antipas – Rome’s puppet “King of the Jews,” greatly compounded the suffering of the people of during Jesus days. Rome brutality and heavy taxation choked the economic life of Israel and their people.
The contempt with which the Romans treated the people of Israel is most evident in the Gospel’s recounting of the cruelty and contempt to which Jesus was subjugated after his arrest. Jesus was stripped naked, humiliated, and flogged.
The Fourth Gospel adds that he was beaten repeatedly by his Roman captors (John 19:3).
The crucifixion account in the Gospel of Mark in particular portrays Rome’s contempt and brutality toward its colonial subjects in all of its horror:
In his book: “The Murder of Jesus,” Dr. John MacArthur, the great Bible teacher and pastor of Grace Community Church, wrote,
“2000 years ago, an unprecedented conspiracy of injustice, cruelty, and religious and political interests sentenced a man guilty of no crimes to the most barbaric method of execution ever devised.
“Worse still, the victim was no mere man. Jesus was God in the flesh. The creator of life and universe was killed, murdered and died.
“The very thought is nearly inconceivable. Yet, mysteriously, from the wellspring of this repugnant historical fact flow unceasing rivers of mercy.”
Depending on whom you read, most theologians agree that Christ trial involved three stages or three personalities: namely – religious, civil, and political trials.
The first or religious trial was when Jesus was brought before Annas and Caiaphas, the High Priests of Sanhedrin – the Jewish Ruling Council. The High Priests questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teachings especially His messianic claims.
Jesus replied, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in Synagogues or at the Temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” (John 18:20-21).
When Annas and Caiaphas could not reason with him, they sent him to King Herod.
The people blinded folded Jesus, mocked him repeatedly, spat on and struck Jesus in the face as he was taken to King Herod. This was Jesus civil and second trial.
King Herod had earlier beheaded John the Baptist – Jesus’ cousin. Because Herod’s heart was so hardened, Jesus refused to speak to him.
In anger, Herod and his men mocked Jesus’ claim to be the king of the Jews and sent him to Pilate, the Roman governor in Jerusalem.
Jesus was then brought to Pilate, the Roman governor in Jerusalem to be interrogated. (Matthew. 27:1-26). This was Jesus political and third trial. Jesus was brought to him because under Roman law, the Jews could not legally carry out the death penalty.
The people asked for the release of Barabbas, who was a thief and who had caused all kinds of rebellion and insurrection in Jerusalem to be released and Jesus, who did not do anything whatever to be crucified.
Jesus was released to the people again and they flogged him, scourged and handed over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.
It is important that we understand the position of Herod and Pilate in relation to the person of Jesus. It was already established how Herod’s and Pilate’s political alliance undermined the arrest, trial, sentencing and crucifixion of Jesus.
When Jesus stood before Pilate, he weighed both religious and political consequences and effects of his decision concerning Jesus’ case would have on him personally, and on his career.
Religiously, Pilate was afraid that Jesus was whom he proclaimed to be a genuinely divine messenger, the Messiah, the Son of God, and not just a deluded street philosopher who thought himself to be God.
The portrait of Jesus as Messiah, a deliverer, a true leader of the people was not easy for the Jewish religious and political elitists to understand and accept.
The Scribes and Pharisees considered Jesus a heretic because he claimed to be the “Messiah.” Jesus did not meet the expectations of the hypocritical Pharisees and Sadducees.
Politically, Pilate’s sponsor in Rome, Sejanus, had fallen from power, and Pilate was afraid of Tiberius, the Emperor, who was paranoid of any sound of treason. Pilate’s investigation in Jesus’ case yielded not a guilty verdict, and under normal circumstances, Jesus was to be reprimanded and set free.
Pilate was afraid that he could be beheaded by Emperor Tiberius, if he set Jesus, who was accused of insurrection free.
When Pilate heard that Jesus was from Galilee, he jumped for the opportunity to free himself of the innocent man’s blood.
He therefore washed his hands, not for hygiene purposes, but to declare himself cleared of the innocent man’s blood. Pilate then sent Jesus back to King Herod Antipas.
Pilate became the symbol of those who made religious decisions based on political expediency rather than truth and justice.
Pilate’s success in his career depended on what he did with Jesus’ case. For the high Priests, whose political and spiritual positions were for life, were all interested in the conviction of Jesus.
All the way from Rome down to Bethlehem, from Emperor Tiberius to Herod Antipas, they were all paranoid of their positions would be overthrown. Pilate and Herod formed a political alliance over the life of Jesus.
In today’s watered-down Christianity and prosperity gospel, the picture of the non-political Jesus who never challenged the horrors of Roman Empire is the legacy of Roman Emperor Constantine, who officially transformed the faith founded upon the teachings of Jesus from the radical faith of the oppressed to the official religion of the oppressor.
THE MAJESTY AND INCOMPARABLE PERSONALITY OF JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is an incomparable personality in all of human history. Among all the world’s religious leaders, Jesus Christ is incomparable. He is a controversial figure and the most misunderstood moral and spiritual leaders of all time.
His birth, his life, his ministry, his death, his resurrection and his ascension to heaven makes him such a mysterious and majestic leader among all moral and religious leaders that have come and gone.
Again, Bible teacher and Pastor, Dr. John MacArthur, in his book: Truth for Today, surmised the majesty and grandeur of Jesus Christ when he wrote,
“Jesus stands incomparable amongst the world’s greatest religious, philosophical and moral leaders. Socrates taught forty years, Plato fifty, Aristotle forty but Jesus’ public ministry lasted less than three years, yet the influence of his life far outweighs the combined 130 years of the three greatest philosophers of all antiquity.
“Jesus never painted a picture, yet some of the finest paintings of Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, and many other artists found in him their inspiration.
“Jesus did not write any poetry, but Dante, Milton and other world’s greatest poets were inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ.
“Jesus did not write any music, yet Hayden, Handel, Beethoven, Bach, Mendelssohn, and myriad of others reached the highest perfection of melody in compositions about him.”
Jesus did not officially write any book, yet millions of books have been written about his life and teachings.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the beloved moral teacher and civil rights icon was inspired by the principles of the teachings of Jesus that guided him with the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit; he challenged White America to free his people from the bondage of slavery, oppression and shackles of injustice.
His powerful oratory and wise leadership freed an entire nation from hate, bigotry and self-destruction and gave millions freedom and hope around the world.
Abraham Lincoln – the most admired American president and Father of the nation, Nelson Mandela – anti-apartheid activist and international icon of freedom, Mother Teresa – the cherished Catholic mother and global advocate for love and compassion for the poor, Watchman Nee, Mahatma Gandhi, Marcus Garvey, and many other transformational global religious and political leaders – transformed and changed the world with the words, teachings and compassion of Jesus Christ.
Demosthenes, the illustrious Greek orator was surpassed in eloquence by Jesus, for it is written, “No one ever spoke the way this man does” (John 7:46). The emperors of Rome established a mighty empire, but Jesus builds a greater one: “of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end” (Isaiah 9:7).
Modern surgeons capably do open-heart surgery, but the Great Physician gives transplant: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you” (Ezekiel 36:26).
Ralph Waldo Emerson said that the name of Jesus “is not so much written as ploughed into the history of this world.”
The Apostle John writes, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written (John 21:25).
Jesus affected human society like no other. This incomparable Jesus Christ is the reason for this wonderful time of the year.
Joseph Ernest Renan, a 19th century French philosopher and historian once wrote, “Let the greatest surprises of the future come, but never has there arisen, nor never shall there arise another like Jesus Christ.”
Jesus Christ is without debate, the greatest religious leader, political strategist, social change and moral crusader of all time.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us remember the reason for this wonderful season.
As songwriters – Eddie Pola and George Wyle penned in 1963, “This season of the year is the most wonderful time of the year.”
The birth of Jesus is the greatest event in all of human history. His birthday is always the greatest and most expensive celebration in all of human history. It is also the most gracious and loving season of the year.
However, sin is the greatest enemy of the human race and Jesus was born to free us from the slavery and guilt of sin. He was born to free mankind from the filthy of unrighteousness, shackles of injustice, economic slavery and political oppression.
As Pastors and Christian leaders, let us therefore commit ourselves to study more deeply the words and teachings of Jesus. Let us also commit do the work that Jesus did and calls each of us to do.
Let us work to end injustice, oppression, slavery and bondage in our world.
Let us work to usher God kind of justice (mishpat) and righteousness (sadiqah), liberty, freedom, peace and prosperity in our world.
And most importantly, as Christians, let us commit this Christmas day to pray for peace and wisdom upon our leaders and their governments so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
The Word of God teaches, “when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked rule, the people mourn (Proverbs 29:2).
May God’s favor, joy, peace, love and goodwill be yours abundantly in this coming year! Amen.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!
Next week: We will explore the leadership style of Jesus and some of his political activism. Stay tuned.
C. K. Ekeke, Ph.D., is a theologian, author, consultant, and leadership scholar.
Obery M. Hendricks, Jr., Ph.D., is a biblical scholar and professor of biblical interpretation at New York Theological Seminary.