Right now, in America, people seem to care more about politics than religion. Political power is our overarching story to make sense of the world. Today we’re going to talk about the secular political world of the Easter story, and how Jesus interacted with people in power. You might be surprised about what the news was like, and how Jesus treated the systems and the players – and I think that learning about can both help us reframe how we think about politics, and give us a more stable outlook on our lives as Christians.
Jesus and Rome – The Executioners
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided his clothes and cast lots. LUKE 23:34
Galatians 4:4–5 (NIV) 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
Luke 7:6–10 (NIV) 6 So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
Mark 12:17 (NIV) 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.
John 18:3–7 (NIV) 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.
Series outline adapted from Darling, Daniel. The Characters of Easter. Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.