Jesus was capital "P" Political
Every election cycle pastors and congregations wrestle with what they can and can't say and do in church. But here's the deal, Jesus was radically capital "P" Political. This month we are sharing faith-filled resources and actions for preaching, teaching, and living the radical Politics of the Gospel.
Jesus was concerned with how power functioned within faith communities and the government to oppress and harm people.
He strategically engaged and challenged powerful people in his teaching and preaching. He questioned their authority, demonstrating their unholy use of power to abuse others, and called them in to more loving, just, and peaceful relationship with God and one another.
Jesus emboldened those on the margins of society who held little or no political power. He invited them in to his faith community, taught them, healed them, blessed them, and consecrated their ministries and leadership, sending them forth into the world with the power of the Holy Spirit to guide them.
Jesus' ministry was not just lower case "p" politics—concerned about how people organize and care for one another collectively.
Jesus was upper case "P" Political, proclaiming and building the "Kingdom of God." Every word and action he took was towards this end. Jesus was a revolutionary leader seeking to transform and overtake the world as it was—the Kingdoms of Rome and Herod, in order to bring forth a new way, a new world, a new beloved community of God.
The most Political aspect of Jesus' life and ministry is that people followed him in large numbers. The development of a powerful discipleship threatened the status quo.
Jesus' life and ministry was a Spirit-led, political movement. He organized preached, taught, and organized people against the colonizing Roman Empire, the oligarchs—ruling elites, the fascist religious and state leaders who suppressed opposition, criticism, and controlled all parts of life with domination, violence, and injustice.
Jesus was as Political as it gets, organizing the power of people to change the world as we know it.
What are you and your church doing to preach, teach, and live the radically Political Gospel of Christ this election season?
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Jenny Whitcher, Ph.D (she/her)
Minister of Prophetic Formation
Juniper Formation
