Reflecting on Mark 3:1-6“The Pharisees began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.” (Mark 3:6)
As a Jesus follower, I am committed to honouring God’s Law of Love.
The religious leaders were committed to the Moses Law.
This is why they were harassing Jesus, for dishonouring the Sabbath day.
But their true heart is revealed in their plot to kill Jesus.
And in their covenant with the Herodians, otherwise political opponents.
The Herodians supported Herod, Rome’s appointed ruler in Judea.
The Pharisees hated Herod, and Rome… but they hated Jesus more.
Jesus was living contrary to their own understanding of the Bible.
On their list of sins, that made Jesus worse than Herod or Caesar.
Herod and Caesar were monsters, but Jesus was Satan personified.
“‘Shall I crucify your king?’ Pilate asked. ‘We have no king but Caesar,’ the chief priests answered.” (John 19:15)
The religious leaders were eager to obey God’s law.
So they make plans to kill Jesus… do you see the irony?
Sadly, I see the same worldly compromise in church and politics today.
I see christians allying themselves with political parties to gain political advantage.
In their desire to obey God, they join those who do not obey God.
They partner with leaders that demean and drive out aliens and strangers.
They support cuts to services for some of the neediest people.
All in the name of honouring God, so they can obey the bible.
“By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:16)
If the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc is missing, that says it all.
Love stands with the oppressed, and stands up for the ‘little ones’.
A community of Jesus followers should be known for this kind of love.
A church that is known for its political posturing does not reflect Jesus.
Jesus chose not to rule like the rulers of this world (Matthew 20:25-28).
And yet some christians and churches prefer to join the rulers of this world.
“By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:16)
Jesus teaches us that it is always lawful to do good and to heal (Mark 3:4).
Paul echoes this, saying there is no law against love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23).
Jesus calls me to generously love people that I do no agree with.
Jesus calls me to graciously serve people that are against me.
Jesus calls me to love as God loved, and showed us what that looked like.
Not a love that punishes, but a love that takes the punishment.
Not a love that excludes, but a love that will be excluded for the sake of others.
This is Jesus and the Jesus Way, and the Way I am called to follow.
Churches and christians may ally themselves with un-God-like rulers.
But Jesus followers who know Jesus know that this is not the Jesus Way.
You cannot honour the Sabbath by plotting to kill someone.
You cannot serve the Law of Jesus by going against the Law of Jesus.
No wonder Jesus was deeply distressed by their stubborn religious hearts.
Is Jesus disturbed by my political posturing?
Are my ways of serving Jesus undermining the Way of Jesus?
Am I following the religious and political leaders of our day?
Or am I following the one who rejected position and power to serve others?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I cannot join with political leaders in their political agendas. And I cannot join with any group or institution - including the church - in burdening, excluding, condemning, demeaning or driving away others from You.
Forgive me any for my political opinions and posturing thus far, and help me to kneel with those eager to do good and heal... like You!
It is hard to understand the degree of hatred that the Pharisees had for Jesus and that there was not any room to try to understand His message. The Pharisees were so sure that they were right that they were willing to see him crucified. It is so hard to see this behaviour repeated today.
My focus needs to be on being a Jesus Follower, to love God, to love others and to figure out what that looks like.
I need to be like Christ unto others at all times. I need to practice daiy His presence in my life so that I become more like Him. I need daily to put on His armour so that I can produce the fruit of His Spirit. Living the Jesus way.