Man has craved power and position for as long as history can recount. But can power be more than just a title or a name? Can power be more than what meets the eye? A revolutionary from Nazareth proved that it could.
Every time an empire is mentioned, it is presented as an oppressor. The powerful are made so by their military conquests and their oppressive rule. Egypt, Assyria, Persia, Babylon. Even when the Israelites in the Bible sought this kind of power when they wanted a King, God warned them about the danger of oppression from their kings, but they did not listen and this lead to their downfall.
To maintain legitimacy, the Roman Empire did what many empires around the world did, they ascribed divinity to themselves. The Emperor was known as the “son of god” and was given titles like “lord,” “savior of the world,” and “liberator” for bringing Pax Romana – the victor’s peace to the conquered.
“To maintain legitimacy, the Roman Empire did what many empires around the world did, they ascribed divinity to themselves.“
So, when Jesus, a handyman (carpenter) from the backwoods of Galilee with no political connections called Himself the “Son of God,” “the Savior of the World,” and “the Liberator”– He was challenging the false narrative of Empire, and putting Himself on a collision course with the political and religious powers of His day.
“Jesus, a handyman (carpenter) from the backwoods of Galilee with no political connections called Himself the “Son of God,” “the Savior of the World,” and “the Liberator”– He was challenging the false narrative of Empire“
His final confrontation with Empire and its collaborators, (i.e. Herod, and the religious elites) came to a head in Jerusalem, the seat of imperial and religious power.
Jesus began that fateful journey by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey followed by the disruption in the temple market. As He rode the donkey, the people shouted “Hosanna” which is an ancient cry that means, “Lord, save us.” Of course, the people who cried out did not understand Jesus’ mission, but they fervently cried out to the ONE who called Himself, “The Savior of the World,” to save them from the tyranny of their oppressors.
“As He rode the donkey, the people shouted “Hosanna” which is an ancient cry that means, “Lord, save us.” Of course, the people who cried out did not understand Jesus’ mission, but they fervently cried out to the ONE who called Himself”, “The Savior of the World,” to save them from the tyranny of their oppressors.“
During the time of Jesus, the Temple earned enormous amounts of money by exploiting those who came to worship there. But the poor people of Judah and Galilee were exploited and taxed heavily while barely making ends meet. So, they felt oppressed even when they came to the temple to worship God.
Under this context, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. On seeing people being cheated He was enraged and so He turned over the tables of those who were trading and caused a commotion that got the Empire’s attention. This act of Jesus was not merely against a bunch of people doing business in the premises of the Temple, but against a corrupt system, that He called a “den of thieves,” a system that exploited the marginalized, the poor and the oppressed. Jesus’ act was perceived as a direct challenge to the existing rulers of His day, and so to quote Star Wars, ‘The Empire strikes back’ by crucifying Jesus to a cross.
“He was enraged and so He turned over the tables of those who were trading and caused a commotion that got the Empire’s attention. This act of Jesus was not merely against a bunch of people doing business in the premises of the Temple but against a corrupt system“
Even today we witness the wielding of power and oppression stemming from wealth, influence, entitlement, and political influence. But if there is anything that we can learn from Jesus, it is that the Empire did not envision such power in humility. For this Jesus who was crucified did not stay dead in the tomb, on the third day He was resurrected. The movement that His early followers started was based on His teachings which were love, kindness, humility, and brotherhood, words that are often not associated with power. Jesus proved that power was not about tyranny, it was about love.
“Jesus proved that power was not about tyranny, it was about love.“
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