Would Jesus Shoot Refugees?

Would Jesus Shoot Refugees?

A good title should grab the reader's attention and stimulate a desire to read further to see the connection between the title and the body of work contained therein.  I have intentionally picked a title that has probably provoked more than an idle interest in you dear reader, in fact, you might be approaching this with some irritation or righteous indignation. Let me assure you from the outset my desire is not to be blasphemous or sacrilegious, but rather to use a satirical picture and a rhetorical question to get your attention.  We live in a time when fiery rhetoric rules the day, from talk radio to social media and especially in the political arena.  Whether they are self-made YouTube  celebrity preachers advocating violence against Planned Parenthood to Donald Trump wanting to locate, label and limit the religious expression of all Muslims (are internment camps that far away), to the president of the largest evangelical university proclaiming that he packs heat and isn't afraid to use it, the voice of Jesus often gets lost in the din of macho slogans and tough guy posturing.

The purpose of this blog is not to try to unravel the intricacies of the gun control debate nor is it to champion the cause of a particular political party (I have almost equal amounts of revulsion and disgust with both sides).  I am coming to the table as a Christ follower; therefore, I need to look both at what He said and did to be my guide in how to respond to violence as well as the treatment of strangers (also known as immigrants, aliens, and refugees) who come to live among us.  My goal is not to chide you if your conclusions are different, but to share with you the processes that have led me to my current convictions; as well as answer questions that have been posed to me on Facebook by friends and family, many of whom have a strong disagreement with me on these issues.  

Love Your Enemies

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shares with his followers, the full extent of the Mosaic law.  He counters the prevailing wisdom of the day taught by the religious rulers with the phrase, "You have heard that is was said..."  Jesus takes his listeners beyond the teachings of the elders into the deeper intention for which God gave the commandments.  This detail informs us of the fullest extent of the depravity of men's hearts. 

Beginning in verse 38 Jesus takes on the issue of retaliation and violence:  

"You have heard that is was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil.  But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.  And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.  And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.  Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.  You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." (Matt. 5:38-45a)

It is normal for human beings to want to defend themselves from violence by any means necessary. Self-preservation is an innate response to a hostile threat. I will be the first one to tell you if someone comes after my family, I will do whatever I have to in order to see to it that they don't succeed, even if it means taking their life. But at the same time, I cannot simply ignore the directive of my Master; He doesn't mince words.  It is ironic that so many believers who believe in the literal interpretation of Scripture, find many ways of trying to say that Jesus didn't mean what He is clearly saying in this passage.  He is not speaking in hyperbole.  He is not giving us an out, nor is He telling us this is optional. It is a grammatical imperative which means it is in the mood of command.

At the time of the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Simon Peter reacted by cutting off the ear of Malchus the servant of the high priest.   Jesus' response was stern and to the point.  "Put your sword back in its place.  All who take the sword will perish by the sword." (Matt. 26:52) Nowhere in the Scripture does Jesus advocate that his followers take up weapons or to fight back against those who would harm them. It is impossible to love others the way the Scriptures command if we are willing to kill them.  

The Two Swords

It is at this point in the discussion where some will ask, "What about the time that Jesus told the disciples to take two swords?"  That is a good question, let's look at the passage in question and see what is there. The passage referenced can be found in Luke 22.  Jesus and His followers have just finished their last meal together in the upper room. Immediately following this intimate time of fellowship together, Jesus has to deal with arguing disciples about who is the greatest (vs. 24-30).  Then Jesus tells Peter that he is about to go through a time of testing and betrayal, with the apostle promising that he will not do any such thing (vs. 31-34).  Then Jesus shifts the conversation: "And he said to them, 'When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?' They said 'nothing.' He said to them, 'But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack.  And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.  For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me; And he was numbered with the transgressors.  For what is written about me has its fulfillment.'  And they said, 'Look, Lord, here are two swords.' And he said to them, 'It is enough.' (Luke 22:35-38)

Is Jesus advocating the use of swords as self-defense? I do not think so since two swords among twelve disciples would not allow them to put up much of a fight against aggressors.  Some commentators believe Jesus said two was enough because Peter was going to use one in a few hours to cut off Malchus' ear, thereby fulfilling the prophecy concerning Jesus being numbered with the transgressors.  As we saw in the previous section, this resulted in a sharp rebuke from the Messiah. Other scholars believe that Jesus was speaking metaphorically about how the attitude towards them was going to shift drastically from tolerance to one of hostility.  The disciples, once again not catching the meaning of Jesus' words, took Him literally resulting in Jesus' response of disappointment and resignation.  It seems to be illogical in this passage that Jesus is telling the disciples to arm themselves for battle or even self-protection due to the ratio of disciples to swords as well as in keeping with the tenor of Jesus' teaching.

Let me conclude this section by stating that I did not arrive at this conclusion without a great deal of internal struggle and dialogue with my Abba. Over the past three and a half years I have been confronted in many areas which have been life changing to my understanding of the characteristics of a true follower of Jesus.  I have learned that true obedience must follow faith and not vice-versa. I have also come to a deeper understanding of the acceptance I have in Christ.  If my brothers and sisters do not share the same convictions in this area, I will not try to twist their arms, I would only say to carefully examine the Scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit to illumine the truth to them outside of cultural influences or biases.

The Least of These

The final section of this missive will deal with the topic of how we should deal with refugees and those seeking asylum of all kinds in our nation. Throughout the Old Testament, the nation of Israel is given very clear instructions that they are to welcome the aliens and refugees in their midst and that they are not to treat them differently than their own countrymen.  “Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.” (Exodus 22:21) “You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” (Lev. 19:34) “So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.” (Malachi 3:5)  Jesus reiterates and personalizes the importance of how we treat others in Matthew chapter 25 when he declares, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.  Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.  Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'  And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'  "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,  I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'  Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?'  Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'  And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

We are a nation of refugees and immigrants. The only people who do not fall into this category are those who were here first, and those who were brought here against their will in the hull of slave ships.  As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are to advocate for justice and mercy in this world which needs to see clear demonstrations of both.  The result is that we must move beyond the fear of the unknown and go forward with the only power that can truly change the world, the gospel of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Postscript

The thoughts and beliefs expressed in this work are not comprehensive of all of my thoughts and feelings on this matter. I have not addressed the role of government in these issues, only the role that I believe the Church should play in these areas.  If you disagree with me, let us dialogue.  We can agree to disagree and since we are family (both by blood and the Spirit) I will still love you and respect your beliefs in these areas.

Remedial Discipleship

Here are a few things that I have re-learned and unlearned in the past 18 months:

1.  The God who calls, also supplies.

2.  Let go of the past, but learn from it.

3.  Failures can teach a lot more than successes.

4.  Don't expect people to understand your calling.

5.  Love the people you are given to serve where they are at, not where you want them to be.

6.  Drop the Christianese, learn to speak the Gospel in everyday language.

7.  Demonstrate your faith in how you live.

8.  Transparent living is very frightening.

9.  Transparent living is very liberating.

10. Be prepared to have your heart broken; some people will leave; some will die.

11. Share the Gospel; don't assume you will get another opportunity!

12. Beware of opportunities that look good, but will sidetrack your mission.

13. Cling to the truth, be willing to jettison opinion.

14. Acts 2:42 is still a great way to do church.

15. When God sends a homeless man to minister to you, let him!

16. God will change you in ways you can never imagine!

WWJD Revisited

Below are a list of questions that I have been ruminating over for some time. They are designed to provoke us to think in ways that might be uncomfortable to us, but hopefully will take us to a place where we are thinking in a biblical, Christ centered mindset. There are many more that could be posted.  I may create  a second part later. I realize that most of these questions speak specifically to an American expression of Christianity, so my apologies to those reading outside of the United States.

1. Would Jesus still turn water into wine or into Welch's grape juice?

2.  Would Jesus vote Democratic?

3.  Would Jesus vote Republican?

4.  Would Jesus vote?

5.  Would Jesus give a homeless guy a dollar or tell him to go get a job?

6.  Would Jesus get a CHP (Concealed Handgun Permit)?

7.  Would Jesus carry a handgun?

8.  Would Jesus use the King James Bible?

9.  Would Jesus speak in King James English?

10. Would Jesus care about the environment?

11. Would Jesus ask His followers for 65 million dollars so he could buy a jet?

12.  Would Jesus condemn someone for being same sex attracted?

13.  Would Jesus advocate the deportation of illegal immigrants?

14.  Would Jesus feel welcome at your church?

15.  Would Jesus overturn tables at your church?

16.  Would Jesus say the Pledge of Allegiance?

17.  Would Jesus feel comfortable at your church on the 4th of July?

18.  Would Jesus be welcome in your home?

My Fifty-Third Year

Today is the three hundred and sixty-fifth day of my fifty-third year.  At twelve midnight I shall be fifty-four. I never imagined that I would ever be this age.  I always thought that these years were for my parents, or better yet my grandparents, but not me.  Yet it is my face that is looking at the latter years, and it shows when I look in the mirror.  Time has passed along so fast; my children are grown and now I have grandchildren who refer to me as Dadoo. It has now been thirty-six years since I graduated high school, and this fall will make thirty years since I was ordained to the Gospel ministry.  There have been years of great productivity and years of great famine.  There were years of great happiness and years of great sorrow and despair (even to the point that I didn't know which I would lose first, my mind or my life). I have often been my own worst enemy.  I have been both a hero and a villain. Yet through it all God has been faithful.  He has never left me nor forsaken me. When I have been faithless, He has always been faithful.  When I have been stubborn, He has been long suffering towards me.  He is making all things work together for my good and His glory (Rom. 8:28). He has shown me without a doubt that He does not change His mind when He gifts and calls someone (Rom. 11:29).  He will restore what the locust have eaten (Joel 2:25).

Over this past year He has shown me that the latter years can be greater than the former, His mercies are new everyday and His grace is never ending.  He has moved me from the comfort of the couch to the starkness of the street, from abstract concepts to concrete realities, from talking about discipleship to actually being one.  It isn't easy, fear is always there trying to shout down faith and the desire for a secure future whispers into my ear not to venture into the unknown territory that God has set before me.  Yet I have found something here that eludes all who are seeking the safe path on the wide plain...contentment (1 Tim. 6:6). I have no idea what year fifty-four holds, I only know that "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me"(Gal. 2:20).

This Is Real?

As I was driving down the freeway this morning my eyes were drawn to a billboard encouraging people to watch the brand new season of American Idol. There was a picture of an attractive young woman holding a microphone with tears streaming down her face. She had either been told some very good news about her singing talent, or had received the devastating critique that she didn't have the requisite talent to be a contestant on the show. What really caught my attention, though, was the subscript at the bottom of the sign which read, "#thisisreal."

This is real? I don't think so. I know it is a"reality show"populated by real people in a real contest to win fame, fortune and all the supposed goodness that comes with the  proclamation of a winner. It is still a manufactured product made for the general public to consume and be distracted from that which is truly real. The purpose of this blog is not to put down American Idol. I have watched the show for several years, and I do enjoy seeing the amount of talented people that live in this country. We have become sanitized and pacified by the media to where we believe that the American Idols, X Factors, Honey Boo-Boos and Duck Dynasties are reality, when they are at their core, manufactured for your amusement (from Middle French, 15th century, which means to divert one's attention, to beguile or delude - Online Etymology Dictionary).

So, the question must be asked, what is real? Real is seen right outside the front door. Real is seen in the number of homeless people that live on the streets of our cities. Real is the twenty-right million people who are trapped in slavery worldwide, some of whom are being trafficked through Dallas and Fort Worth . Real is the children who are being abused physically and sexually in our neighborhoods. Real is the number of people who lack food, clothing and medical care and who die from treatable diseases. The thousands of people who are in prison and persecuted for religious and political reasons is real.  The hurt and pain that you see in the eyes of your family, friends and neighbors constitute reality. Real is the number of people groups who have never heard the gospel  of Jesus Christ. This is what is real.

Real people with real problems need real solutions brought by people who have found the real answer. Christ followers cannot and must not be content to sit on the sidelines and watch the world roll by like some reality television series.  We have been mandated by our King to be ambassadors and heralds of His kingdom and to be the ones who advocate for mercy and justice in this broken world.  There is hope for the poor, the captive, the abused and neglected. We are going to have to be willing to be involved and get our hands dirty.  It is not up to someone else, it is up to us.   Let us give our time, our money, ourselves into the lives of others.  Real love, real hope, real freedom, real life all from a REAL SAVIOR!

The Danger of the Monochromatic Church

"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!'" (Revelation 7:9-10)

The picture presented in Revelation chapter seven presents us with an inside view of the congregation of Heaven.  It is a myriad of peoples and cultures and races all giving praise and honor unto the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! There is no segregation among these people.  This is how the church is supposed to look, not just in glory, but today as well.

America has been called the great melting pot.  This is a nation of immigrants, founded by immigrants, some immigrated by choice, others were brought over in ships against their will, some came seeking freedom from religious persecution while the most were just seeking a better life.  The result is that we are one people united under one constitution and although we may not always get along, most are proud to be called Americans.

The church of Jesus Christ is also a melange of peoples and cultures.  Although the original members were Jewish, we are told in the first chapter of Acts what this group was to eventually look like.  "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)  This is reiterated in the second chapter on the Day of Pentecost when these 120 uneducated followers of a crucified itinerant rabbi began to speak in different languages from the surrounding nations. "And they were amazed and astonished, saying, 'Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?  And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?  Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both, Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians - we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.'"(Acts 2: 7-11) Luke, the author of Acts, chronicles those beginning years of the expansion of the Gospel as it left the area of Judea, into Samaria, Asia Minor, Africa and eventually into Rome itself.  Along the way Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles were being called out of darkness into the kingdom of God, sharing the same Spirit and proclaiming the message that would go out into all the world and continues to this very day.

Yet if we look across the landscape of American churches, we don't see the rainbow of skin tones and voices should be a part of the family of God. The majority of  houses of worship are composed of people who look, dress and talk alike. Many older established predominately white inner city churches are constructing new buildings and moving to the suburbs rather than adapt to the changing ethnicity of the neighborhood. It is reminiscent of the "white flight" that took place in the 1950s -1970s when, in reaction to forced school segregation, a large number of private schools were founded (many by churches).  The new church plants that get the most attention seem to be those targeted to the upwardly mobile neighborhoods, where the incomes are higher and therefore more attractive to those who would contribute funds to such endeavors.  While there are some great church planting efforts happening in urban areas, they often don't receive the attention as does the more "lucrative" outreaches in the 'burbs.

Why does this occur?  Is it a form of subtle racism? Possibly, although I am sure that this charge would be accompanied by strenuous denials. Racism is a universal problem. It didn't originate with the marketing of human beings on the slave markets in Europe and North America in the 17th-19th centuries. It is evident all over the globe and throughout history.  Jesus wasn't afraid to broach the subject, as evidenced in the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Racism reared its ugly head in the early church.  There were many in that first church in Jerusalem who were content to keep it as a Jewish body.  Even though the church was birthed in Acts 2, there was no movement to take it outside of its regional locale until persecution arose after the stoning of Stephen and they were forced to take refuge in the countryside and in Samaria where they preached the good news to the despised Samaritans. Then in the tenth chapter the Lord sends Peter to go and preach the message to the gentile Cornelius and his household.  Their resulting salvation and filling with the Holy Spirit was further evidence that God was bringing a people to Himself out of all nations, tribes and peoples, although some were still resistant.  The false gospel that Paul confronts in the letter to the Galatians was being spread partly as a result of racism as well as theological ignorance.

I believe that people desire homogeneity. It is part of the human condition to want to be with people that are alike, both racially and culturally. Getting to know people from a different culture requires effort. It means that we will have to take the time to get know and understand them, their customs, dress and language, and share ours with them.  There will be times when misunderstandings and offences (often out of ignorance) occur.  The only time most people go out of their way to experience a different culture is when they go to a restaurant that specializes in that country's food.  Getting to know people who are not like you also removes that most deadly reason for non-interaction, ignorance.  Ignorance and fear go hand in hand.  We fear that about which we do not know or understand.

There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph. 4:4-6) The Gospel is good news for all people. Jesus said to make disciples of all nations (Greek - ethnos, can also mean tribes or people groups).   Our cities are made up a myriad of nations, tribes and cultures, who need to hear and believe this message.  If we are to fulfill our duty as the body of Christ, we are going to have to be intentional about reaching out to everyone. This will not be easy, and may require us to be honest with ourselves about both our prejudices and distrust of those who are different than us.  May we have the courage to go to our Father and confess our weaknesses and fears to Him and seek racial and cultural reconciliation in our churches.  Lord Jesus,forgive us for our monochromatic tunnel vision and create in us a passion to be an earthly version of that heavenly congregation!  

New Years Day 2014

This is a day of beginnings. We begin a new year. Many of us begin new diets. There are new goals, new plans, new hopes and new dreams. One area which we should all address is our relationship with our Creator. Do you have a relationship? If you do, are you on speaking terms? If you are how often do you converse with Him? I believe that the answer to these questions will have a direct correlation as to whether or not your other goals, dreams and resolutions will be realized.

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount speaks to the wide variety of concerns that we humans have, clothing, shelter, food etc., in Matthew 6. He eloquently points out the Father knows all about our needs, even the needs of the smallest part of creation. His answer to the concerns is for us to seek the kingdom of God first and his (God's) righteousness, then all these things (that we have worries, fears or concerns about) will be added to us (Matt. 6:33). So how do we seek this kingdom and this righteousness?

In order to seek the kingdom of God, we must also seek his righteousness and that's where we encounter out problem.  Righteousness eludes us. We are all broken. Some more than others, but none of us are righteous. God's standard is perfection, and we all fall short. What are we to do? How are we to gain access to this perfect being?

God provides the answer Himself in Jesus. In John 10:9, Jesus himself tells us, "I am the door. If anyone enters by me he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture." In verse 11 he says, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." Jesus the good shepherd, who is also the door to the kingdom and righteousness gave up his life for the sheep, as well as took it up again three days later, so that all who hear His voice and turn from their sin and embrace His death and resurrection on their behalf by faith, shall enter into the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Now you have a relationship with the Sovereign of the universe as an adopted child to present acceptable worship and petitions to your Abba (an Aramaic word which is sometimes translated Papa or Daddy), as well as hear from Him through the avenue of His Word, the Bible.

So now dear reader, I ask you, where do you stand with God on this first day of 2014? Are you a child of the Great King? If not, you can call upon him confessing your sin and your need of a Savior in Christ's finished work on the cross and enter into that relationship that is missing in your life today. And if you are a believer, I would ask how is your relationship with your Father? Do you talk to Him and listen to and obey His Word? If not, what better day to start than today?