The prior article in this series (Jesus Kicked Out of Church) shows that the Prince of Peace was at war against the powerful religiopolitical establishment. The result of this warfare was that Jesus was executed like a common criminal.
While interrogating Jesus, Pilate asked, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus responded, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight (John 18:36).”
Wait a minute. Are we supposed to engage in this battle too? I am committed to Christian nonviolence, but John’s letter to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation depicts a battle full of bloodshed. What should we do?
A proper reading of Revelation is the place to start. For review, please refer to the “Wrath of the Lambkin” series:
How are Christians supposed to fight? As we “fight” for Jesus, we should fight like Jesus. How about practicing Jesus-Jujitsu?
Jujitsu: noun; a Japanese system of wrestling in which knowledge of anatomy and the principle of leverage are applied so that the strength and weight of an opponent are used against him or her (Collins English Dictionary)
Jesus’ confrontations with the Pharisees were monumental. To the delight of everyday people like us, Jesus made the teachers of the Law look pathetic. But the regular folk could hear, understand, and identify with Jesus’ teachings. Jesus’ statement that “the least shall be greatest” was fulfilled in their hearing.
Jesus quoted the Old Covenant Law back to the teachers of the Law and correctly interpreted a meaning that contradicted and refuted the Pharisees’ religious dogma, and they went away.
Jesus knew the hardness of their hearts was connected to their will, not his. They didn’t want to hear. They were more intent on defending the indefensible. For them, it was more about “winning” than pursuing truth. In the end, they were just losers, and everybody but them knew it.
When we are in a “discussion” with someone, and they duck a very straightforward and simple question, they have conceded their argument by their inability to answer it. Like the Pharisees, they often just go away.
Rather than responding to Jesus’ well-reasoned points with an adult discussion, the Pharisees just called him and his followers names like fools, ignorant liberals, and friends of sinners. Given this passive-aggressive behavior, Jesus let them continue in their ignorance and moved on to share his truth with those who had ears to hear.
Consider the big picture of the practice of Jesus-Jujitsu:
In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. (Colossians 2:15 NLT)
The hidden mystery that God foreordained us to ultimate glory began before the beginning of time. Had the religiopolitical establishment known this, they would not have crucified our Lord of glory. But because we love him, God prepared things beyond our wildest imagination that we could not see or hear. God revealed these mysteries to us through the Spirit, which searches all things, even God’s deepest thoughts. (1 Corinthians 2:7-10 paraphrased).
Jesus’ crucifixion was planned before the foundations of our world (compare Revelation 13:8, 1 Peter 1:19-20, and John 1:1).
It was our Triune God who conceived Jesus’ immaculate conception and his Jujitsu “battle” plan.
May we follow Jesus’ admonition to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
God’s unconditional love for all his children persists. He is the Hound of Heaven and the lover of our souls. Indeed, God is all about Matters of the Heart.
Plain Truth Ministries | Box 300 | Pasadena, CA 91129-0300
