I grieve. Deeply. In my gut.
Our nation is in its death throes, and Western Christianity with it. From the redefinition of good and evil, abortion, racism, violence, to targeted censorship, government overreach in a pandemic, and “Christian” nationalism—which we witnessed last Wednesday turn violent. It’s that day at the Capitol I write about here:
A NOOSE AND A CROSS
My family, and yours, watched in sheer disbelief as a mob successfully stormed the nation’s Capital building forcefully, violently, destructively. This act was reprehensible and those who participated should be prosecuted.
At the same time, we should recognize that the mob did not represent the whole of the gathering of the tens-of-thousands who were there to peacefully protest. In fact, I’ve heard numerous stories of participants of the protest aggressively trying to stop those part of the mob. Still, as is always the case, especially in today’s news climate, the actions of a smaller group reflect on the whole.
Either way, what haunts me most, what turns my stomach and grieves me to the bone, were images on full display—a noose and a cross; a confederate flag (and the racist overtones it holds) and a “Jesus Saves” banner.
My teenagers saw these images. So did my church, your church, our communities, our unbelieving family, friends, and peers; our African-American friends and neighbors, indeed the whole wide world.
These images point to everything that the Church is not and everything true Christians stand against. Sadly, it will be this collection of images that will be forever showcased as symbols of what happened on Wednesday, January 6. They will be forever the symbols of Christian nationalism.
JESUS
The Bible does not promote or prescribe Christian nationalism. More so, Jesus didn’t either, nor did he model it. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Jesus was expected to be a militant Messiah who came to violently, vindictively, and vengefully, overthrow the secular Roman government.
Instead, He came with one message: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
Jesus then began to teach how His kingdom, repentance, and gospel belief, would look in our everyday lives. Such as, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matt 5:9).
Suffice it to say, Jesus left untold numbers of people disappointed, even enraged. Especially the patriots who wanted a government that reflected their religion.
TAKING UP SWORDS
Surely Jesus understood the secularism, the censorship, the taking of liberties, the unfairness, the oppression of God’s people by the Roman government. Surely, He the Messiah, came to overthrow it all, and with His followers alongside Him. Right?
In the New Testament, it seemed the disciples sure thought so.
As Jesus was about to be arrested they asked, “Should we take up swords?” Then Peter pulled his sword and cut off one of the arrester’s ears. Jesus said, “No more of this!” and healed the man’s ear; and then said, “Am I leading a rebellion…?” (Luke 22:49-52). The point being, he was not. He was bringing a kingdom.
After Jesus’ arrest, He stood before Pilate and said, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight…” (John 18:36).
In the end, many followed Jesus no more. Jesus even had a disciple turn his back on him because He (Jesus) refused to be the Messiah who would lead the protest, the charge, the overthrow of the government.
THE KINGDOM
Jesus indeed came to bring a different government, but a government that would be upon his shoulders (Isaiah 9:6). In other words, He came to bring a kingdom.
A kingdom ushered in through God-incarnate, a bloody cross, and an empty grave.
A kingdom of repentance, forgiveness of sin, and reconciliation with God.
A kingdom where we are resident-aliens in a world not our home.
A kingdom where we are salt and light in a world bored with pleasure and dark in purpose.
A kingdom that cannot be shaken, with a King who gives us kingdom hearts that are unshakeable.
A kingdom where we are peacemakers, from Washington D.C. to Portland, Oregon.
A Kingdom where we are holy (set apart) unto God and set apart from any folly of hope in the world’s systems, powers, and political leaders.
A kingdom with Jesus as Lord and King who says to Christian nationalism, “No more of this.”
NOT WITH SWORDS
I believe we do face coming days where our religious liberties will be greatly restricted, good and evil will be more redefined, and with it an enforcement to obey laws that go against Christian conscience.
When it comes, we should speak Truth and stand firm.
But we should do so with love, intelligence, integrity, respect, honor, grace, and peace.
And not with swords from our lips, political flags in our hands, or Jesus-banners waving in the wind.
So, for the sake of our Christian witness, the glory of God’s gospel, love for those without Christ, and in obedience to God’s Word…
No more of this.
Amen.
We have been painted with a broad brush, Christians, Conservatives, Evangelicals and Republicans. Some of this is self-inflicted as you imply. The enemy and his agents will use this to demean, defame, disrespect and even deconstruct our reputations and institutions. The cancel-culture has us in their sights and they are ruthless. It is a stark reminder of how Jesus was treated. Hopefully we can respond the same way He did – with humility, servitude and …Love.
Lord, teach us how to love more, and more often, and more perfectly. Teach us how to not disrespect YOU.
Amen.
I’m not sure your overall point is a valid biblical conclusion. That if our freedoms are being taken as they are and will be even more, that we can’t fight back. It’s not really good hermeneutics to apply what Jesus said in regards to Jews 2000 years ago to Christians living in a different country today.
And even then, the Jews had good reason to expect the Messiah to be a conqueror since a lot of Scripture pointed to that; and we believe it will happen one day. They just missed all the other Scripture that pointed to the Suffering Messiah. I’m not saying we definitely should take up rifles in defense of our freedoms, but then again if no Christian ever did our Country wouldn’t even exist. So it’s hard to say either way since I can think of Scripture that would support either side of the argument.
Anyway, this feels oversimplified and not really addressing the real issues in my opinion.
Thanks for sharing!
Jarrod,
Thank you for this perspective. For me, your description of God’s kingdom , especially the 3 statements below, are spot on.
A kingdom of repentance, forgiveness of sin, and reconciliation with God.
A kingdom where we are resident-aliens in a world not our home.
A kingdom where we are salt and light in a world bored with pleasure and dark in purpose.
Thank you! And thanks for sharing!
“How the mighty have fallen.” (2 Samuel 1, NIV)
i absolutely understand the great anger, frustration, disgust at lack of justice, profound incredulity, and very deep sadness as we watch our Republic slipping away quickly through our hands.
i can also understand why millions of people may not understand the motives and determination of thousands of people who met in our nation’s capital to peacefully assemble to let their grievances be known to our government. While some hate us because of our beliefs, some are kind and fair-minded people who simply do not know our frustrations because they have not had it explained to them. Many people have more television stations than I, but I still have quite a few. When the hearings were televised to present evidence of a fraudulent election, on my television I only saw ONE station [One America News – OAN] which presented the hearings in their ENTIRETY. Even on the 11:00 P.M. news on the major stations, if mentioned at all, the ‘report’ was totally misrepresented about the testimony given in these hearings. What I saw was testimony of many great and courageous patriotic Americans – not all Trump supporters – who even under death threats, came forward out of patriotic duty, love of justice and love of country, to give their testimony. These same people had previously given sworn affidavits as to their testimony. There were FORENSIC experts, mathematical geniuses who knew the election ‘results’ numbers were impossible in reality, poll workers, postal workers, and various people in their different employed positions who gave testimony as to what they witnessed.
Then I viewed much of another round of impeachment hearings yesterday where a number of congressional members on both sides told me I did not hear what I heard. I did not see what i saw. I think I can decide for myself if these witnesses were credible or not. This is done in jury service every day. Our president is blamed for things which other congressional representatives – his accusers – have been CLEARLY guilty of. They have encouraged violence without even TRYING to masquerade their words. It is all on video tape. Were they removed from office? Were there any hearings to establish their fate? Were they prosecuted for their threats and inciting violence? No, not one. And people DID in fact act out on their words.
Now we Americans are left not trusting our government, not trusting the FBI and other federal, state, and county agencies we always counted on, not trusting the postal service, not trusting our electoral process (the one sure-fire way to voice our support or dissent). So what millions of good, peaceful Americans are left with from those we entrusted to lead us is a perfect boiling pot of rebellion, insurrection, and sedition just waiting to implode.
We have heard the good sound bite – “When they go low, we go high”. Except many of those same people HAVE gone low. Very low. As upset as I am, I do know one thing for sure which my Lord requires. As Christians, we MUST go high. More is expected of us. Out of political frustration, we cannot resort to violence. It will only lead to more sorrow, more violence. I know I can only do so much, but my God who DEPLORES injustice will do SO much better what i simply CANNOT do. He will surely see that justice is done – one way or another. It WILL come.
John responded that “It’s not really good hermeneutics to apply what Jesus said in regards to Jews 2000 years ago to Christians living in a different country today.” Understandable point. I think, John, this may well tie into what I felt the Lord speak to me two days ago as I was going about my chores before your comments were ever posted. As I sat in my car, that phrase “How the mighty have fallen” stirred in my heart. I grabbed my Bible and also my phone to do a bit of research and as I read about 2 Samuel 1, I became so overwhelmed with the LOVE and GRIEF David had in his heart when King Saul and his son Jonathan died by the sword that I could hardly take any more at that moment. As David is the only one I know of who was called ‘a man after God’s own heart, (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22), it would seem that how David responded would be the best example of another non-perfect human to follow in 2021 in America or for people anywhere who believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
King Saul was jealous of David and he also feared David. As David worshiped and tried to comfort Saul, Saul tried to kill David with a spear – twice. (1 Samuel 18). Saul continued with his men to cause David to keep fleeing to avoid losing his life. At one point, Saul went with 3,000 of his most skilled warriors to search for David (1 Samuel 26).
When David had the opportunity when he clearly could have killed Saul, he did not dare harm ‘the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 24) but spoke firmly but tenderly to the king. Saul’s heart was softened by David’s LOVE and EXAMPLE.
Yet when David heard of Saul’s death – along with Saul’s son Jonathan – David GRIEVED INTENSELY – for BOTH of them (2 Samuel 1). One was his best friend. a TRUE friend. the kind of friend we all would wish to have. The other was the man who pursued him to take his life. He had GOOD words to say about BOTH of them – honored them BOTH with his heartfelt words. He saw the best in BOTH of them. When David had previously disclosed to the king that he had cut off a piece of the king’s robe and could have killed him (1 Samuel 24), David called Saul “my father” (v. 11). Saul responded with, “….David my son” (v. 16). Perhaps David was able to see beyond Saul’s hatred and evil actions because he took those words to heart. Maybe because someone called him “my son” when David’s own father didn’t seem to make him feel much of a man. Perhaps this enabled David to have the compassion to see the pain, anxiety, tortured mind, emptiness, and need for redemption and love in Saul’s heart.
If David said the people of Judah should be taught the lament he gave upon the death of Saul and Jonathan, I figured it must be important for us today. Our worship team leads us in a great song called the ‘Song of Ascent’. Perhaps our focus should now be on a ‘Song of Lament’. Who knows what might happen on Inauguration Day but many are outwardly declaring some serious statements which may result in widespread violence. We need to focus on prayer. Although there very well may still be bloodshed, we may never know in this lifetime exactly how much additional violence our prayers may HOLD BACK.
Wouldn’t it be great before January 20 if believers all over met in God’s House – in the sanctuary where He tells us to be – to gather together in prayer?! (and I do understand if some feel they should stay home during the pandemic). For those who cannot get in due to pandemic restrictions, they could pray at the same time at home. We don’t need anyone telling us how to pray. We don’t need a prayer list. We don’t need constant chatter. We just need to sit, kneel, lie prostrate, stand and pour out our hearts. Simply or eloquently. It doesn’t matter to the Lord. Fasting is needed, too. “Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard.” (1 Samuel 1). I’ve always believed there are times we need to be quiet before the Lord and wait on Him to hear what He will say; He will tell us how to pray. Hannah was spewing her pain and heartache all over the floor before the Lord. He passed by with the hem of His robe and wiped up all the mess and all her tears and heard and received her prayer. Try to remember the painting Pastor Jarrod showed us on his tenth anniversary at Grace on October 1, 2019 (Benny Andrews, 1994, “Revival Meeting”). THIS kind of prayer is what is needed.
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21).
Thank you! And thanks for sharing.