Jesus, the Radical Liberal
By Rick Odden
Have you ever taken the time to really exam Jesus in his cultural setting? By today’s definition, he would have been labeled a “Radical liberal.” The religious community at this point in history was all about the “Rules”, what was “Politically Correct”. Jesus burst onto the scene and all those 600 + rules were thrown out the window.
Jesus brought into the world a whole new foundation for our belief system. He taught love, compassion caring, not only to the Jewish community but the Gentiles as well….Radical...
John Chapter 4 is an example of how Jesus reached out to all people, in all walks of life.
“Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.
When Jesus reached the famous well at Shechem and asked a Samaritan woman for a drink, she replied full of surprise: "Jews do not associate with Samaritans” (John 4:9).
In the ancient world, relations between Jews and Samaritans were indeed strained. Josephus reports a number of unpleasant events: Samaritans harass Jewish pilgrims traveling through Samaria between Galilee and Judea, Samaritans scatter human bones in the Jerusalem sanctuary, and Jews, in turn, burn down Samaritan villages. The very notion of “the good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37) only makes sense in a context in which Samaritans were viewed with suspicion and hostility by Jews in and around Jerusalem. Bible Odyssey, Jürgen K. Zangenberg
Jesus ignored current, popular opinion and religious peer pressure to speak truth into a lost soul. He wasn’t concerned about following local religious rules. He was focused on inclusion, developing and promoting social welfare programs, asking the wealthy to share their wealth. It sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
Today when we call ourselves Christian, the world labels us as “Radical Conservatives,” narrow-minded and exclusionists. It amazes me how the same Jesus who would have been called liberal during his time on earth is now classified as an extreme conservative. Amazing how the enemy has changed our perspective over the years. Or have we as Christians given up on looking outside our “church groups” have we become an exclusionary group?
Would Jesus look at us and compare us to the Pharisees of his day? Do we as a Christian community reach out and try to heal the hurts in our community? Or do we meet behind our walls and “Pray” for those who need to change and become like “us”? I ask these questions not to condemn but for you look to inward and ask yourself what are my priorities.
Sometimes we need to have the introspection to correct our course and realign ourselves with God’s compassion and love.
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:37-40
As I look at today’s world I see the faith-based community involved and making a difference. There are wars and disasters and it is the faith-based community that steps up, provides relief, helps to rebuild lives and homes for the refugees and communities.
When Christ walked the earth, the ruling class, political culture, media had the loudest voices and discredited those who were having the greatest impact and giving the most to help others. So I just want to say thank you, my fellow Christians, for sacrificing and exhibiting daily your love for the lost, hurting, and needy.
“I am Love” means little without conversations and sharing our unique differences. Love changes communities when Christians decide to get involved at the grass-roots level and share with those who need it most.
Take time today to reach out to a hurting neighbor, a lost stranger and provide encouragement, a hand up, a meal. See if it doesn’t begin to foster change on your block, in your community, in your city.
