The Politics of Jesus
    By Mark E. Moore


  1. Jesus’ Politics

    1. His Teachings

      1. His primary preaching was about the kingdom of God (Mk 1:15)

      2. Praying for God's kingdom to come is a request for a regime change (Mt 6:10; Lk 11:2).

      3. Many of Jesus' parables were socially aware, the parables of the Minas was downright political, based on events of Herod (cf. Lk 19:11-27).

      4. Jesus claimed to be the Messiah and more (cf. Mt 22:41-46; Mk 12:35-40; Lk 20:41-47).

      5. Jesus threatened the destruction of the temple -- this was the charge at his trial (cf. Mt 24:1-35; Mk 13:1-31; Lk 21:5-36).

    2. His Actions

      1. Healings and exorcisms were visual signs of the in breaking of God’s kingdom (cf. Mt 10:7-8; Lk 9:1-2)

      2. The triumphal entry, with garments and a donkey, and "Hosannah" (cf. Mt 21:1-11; Mk 11:1-11; Lk 19:28-44).

      3. The cursing of the temple -- particularly the context of the 2 OT quotes (cf. Mt 21:12-17; Mk 11:12-19; Lk 19:45-48; Jn 2:12-22).

      4. Jesus appeared before the Governor Pilate on charges of sedition (cf. Mt 27:2-11; Mk 15:1-15; Lk 23:1-5, 13-24). And he appeared before Herod as a usurper to the king (Lk 23:8-12). Finally, Jesus was crucified as a rebel, between two others (cf. Mt 27:35-36) with a sign above his head that read “king of the Jews”

    3. His Organization

      1. Establishing 12 Apostles has clear political implications (cf. Mk 3:14-15)

      2. The 70/72 preachers would create a political stir (cf. Lk 10:1-16) as an imitation of the Sanhedrin.

      3. Herod was shaken by the Apostles' preaching tour for superstition about John (cf. Lk 9:7-9).

  2. Other’s Views of Jesus

    1. Birth Narratives

      1. Jesus means, “Yahweh Saves” (Mt 1:21; Lk 1:31)

      2. Jesus would be a political ruler on David's throne (cf. Lk 1:32-33)

      3. Zechariah’s song is a celebration of political liberation (cf. Lk 1:67-79).

      4. The messiah/king was born in King David's hometown (Lk 2:11)

      5. Genealogies were legal records for property and leadership accession (cf. Mt 1:1-18; Lk 3:23-37).

      6. Magi were envoys from the Eastern province sent to congratulate the new king (cf. Mt 2:1-6).

      7. Stars were portents of divinely installed rulers (cf. Mt 2:2, 7-8).

    2. His mentor, John the Baptist was political

      1. "Prepare the way for the Lord" is a regal declaration (cf. Mk 1:1-3)

      2. Herod beheaded John for sedition and suspected Jesus of the same (cf. Mt 14:1-12).

    3. During Jesus’ ministry

      1. Nicodemus calls Jesus the "King of Israel" (Jn 1:49)

      2. The Samaritans called Jesus "Savior of the World," the kind of title given to Caesar Augustus (Jn 4:42)

      3. Herodians and Pharisees plot Jesus' death (cf. Mk 12:13).

      4. Because of the feeding, the people believed he was the prophet and wanted to make him king by force (Jn 6:15)

      5. Peter's declaration of Jesus as Christ is clearly political (Mt 16:16; Mk 8:29; Lk 9:20).

      6. Pharisees warned Jesus about Herod's assassination plot (cf. Lk 13:31-33)

      7. The Sanhedrin determined that one man must die for the nation (cf. Jn 10:47-54)

      8. James and John ask for chief seats (cf. Mt 20:20-21; Mk 10:35-45).

      9. The chief priests questioned Jesus' right to curse the temple (Mt 21:23; Mk 11:28; Lk 20:2)

      10. Question by Pharisees and Herodians about the legality of Roman taxes (cf. Mt 22:15-22; Mk 12:13-17; Lk 20:20-26).

      11. The Sadducees question about resurrection had political ramifications (cf. Mt 22:23-33; Mk 12:18-27; Lk 20:27-39).

      12. The Chief Priests plotted Jesus' arrest and execution and feared a riot over him (cf. Mt 26:3-5; Mk 14:1-2; Lk 22:1-2).

      13. Jesus was apprehended as if he were leading a rebellion (cf. Mt 26:47-56; Mk 14:43-52; Lk 22:47-53).

      14. Jesus was charged with claiming to be king of the Jews (cf. Mt 27:11, 37).

    4. The book of Acts suggests political life of the church

      1. Acts 1:6, The disciples still apparently expected a political kingdom to be set up. Jesus did not deny it’s coming but told them they could not know the details.

      2. Acts 17:7, The Thessalonians said of Paul and Silas, “They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”

      3. In Acts there were 36 political confrontations in 22 chapters:

        1. They included the following political rulers:

          1. Chief Priests (4:5-22),

          2. The whole Sanhedrin (5:17-42; 22:30-23:10)

          3. King Herod Agrippa 1 & 2 (12:1-4; 25:23-26:32)

          4. A political advisor to a proconsul (13:6-12)

          5. Civic leaders in Antioch and Iconium (13:50; 14:1-6)

          6. Local businessmen and city magistrates of Philippi (16:19-24)

          7. A mob in Thessalonica, Ephesus, and Jerusalem (17:5-9; 19:23-41; 21:28ff)

          8. The Areopagus in Athens (17:19)

          9. Proconsuls Serigus Paulus of Cyprus and Gallio in Corinth (13:7; 18:12-17)

          10. Silversmith union of Ephesus (19:23-41)

          11. Governors Felix and Festus (24; 25)

          12. Perhaps Claudius Caesar and Nero (18:2; 25:11)

        2. Christians were arrested 10 times, fled a city 6 times, killed twice, beaten 5 times, death plots 6 times, stood trial 11 times and had to claim citizenship twice.

  3. Correction of our view of politics

    1. The Greek word politeuvomai, indicates living your life socially engaged (only used in Acts 23:1 and Php 1:27). Thus politics is not necessitate governmental entities but citizenry.

    2. Separation of church and state is a modern, unrealistic, and scripturally untenable presupposition of the western church anachronistically applied to Jesus. It is as likely that Jesus would separate politics from religion as would Ben Laden (both Middle-Eastern monotheists).







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