If he did mean it...

What if Jesus meant what he said? It’s the powerful question raised in my last post, coming on the heels of hearing a sermon by Tony Campolo. And, it is a problematic one, given that we don’t exactly know what he said versus what others had him say, or wanted him to say. But there is something we cannot overlook as we consider the question; Jesus was crucified by the Roman Empire because of what he said.

To me, crucifixion makes it impossible for us to domesticate Jesus’ message into some nice, tidy, doctrinal set of teachings. He was a radical and because of that, he scared the powers of the empire so badly that they felt killing him was the best option. If he had simply been a calm, quiet teacher who “kept the peace” as he traveled from place to place, why kill him? Those in power yearn for calm and quiet in their subjects.

No, he scared people in power because his words did not leave people feeling warm and fuzzy and safe, which is often what our worship services devolve into and what our words about Jesus seek to do. (Thanks, Constantine; I think that’s one of your legacies.) Instead, his words caused people to recognize that the world as it was was not the world as it should be; reread the model prayer if you wonder.

Taking Jesus’ words seriously means, in effect, giving up the comfort of place and position that many of us hold by virtue of different kinds of privilege. Taking his words seriously means we will be uncomfortable and unsettled, and unsure of what will happen next. It also means that we’ll shake up the world and cause people to have to confront the inconsistencies and injustices present before them – if they will open their eyes…or, if WE will open OUR eyes.