Pacifist, Peacemaker, or Rebel?

I know I am not a pacifist. I believe World War II was necessary to stop fascism. People try to make Jesus a pacifist but ignore the stories about his overturning the tables of the moneylenders and the pigeon sellers in the temple (Matt. 21:12) or his statement “I have not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matt. 10:34).

I would like to be a peacemaker, but there are exceptions. For example, I do not trust Putin. His words are worthless, so peacemaking is not an option with him. Unfortunately, others, even in our country, pretend to be peacemakers but then resort to violence.

Some call Jesus the Prince of Peace and quickly quote, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44) as well as “Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also” (Matt. 5:39). These quotes sound good, but the people in power didn’t execute Jesus because he said, “Look at the lilies of the field, how they grow” (Matt. 6:28) but because he said, over and over, “Woe to you Pharisees and scribes” (Matt. 23:13–31).

I don’t see Jesus as a peacemaker. I view him as an authentic person who wasn’t afraid to speak the truth, even truth to power. If making peace were possible, I suspect Jesus would have made peace with the Pharisees and the Roman occupiers. But he knew they were more interested in power than peace.

Jesus deciding to undertake a long journey to Jerusalem and face the leadership of Judaism and the Roman government shows that he was a rebel. Jesus wasn’t naive or foolish when he went to Jerusalem. He knew he might have to pay a price, possibly even his life, but this rebel went, despite his disciples suggesting he go somewhere safer to avoid trouble.

Again and again, I see Jesus as confrontational, often in subtle ways. On Palm Sunday, his followers reenact his so-called triumphal entry into Jerusalem, with Jesus sitting on a donkey, the untamed colt, while the crowd shouts, “Hosanna, to the son of David” (Matt. 21:9). Rarely do we see this as the challenge it was to the Roman Empire, implying that even though Jesus was on only a donkey without an army, he ultimately defeated the powerful Romans with his message: I am still here in the world 2,000 years later, but you were defeated 1,700 years ago. My message has the potential to change the course of civilization for the better. Your message destroys people and peace.

It’s the rebel Jesus who interests me. Today, I hear the rebel Jesus talking to me and saying, “The present administration is destroying everything that makes a democracy work, and the only way to stop it is by being a rebel.”

At this point, that means standing up against fascism, Fox News, and the many faces of Charlie Kirk, who are still out there, destroying our democracy and using Jesus as a reason to promote violence, censorship, cruelty, bullying, silencing, and opening the door for our great democracy to become a powerful no-holds-barred theocracy.

Every day, I see our country fading and a monster emerging. Peaceful protests, letters to the editor, nonviolence, and silence are, in my limited view, ignoring the elephant in the room. Project 2025 isn’t what I wanted at this time in my life. I know it would be easier to sit back and blame my age for such passivity. But as a Follower, I feel I must put my rebel hat on and join causes that will challenge the destroyers of this democracy.

I want to be a rebel in the army that protects our democracy. I want to make certain that I can live by the teachings of Jesus, who conquered the world with agape, unconditional love, which includes tough love if necessary.

Where do you stand? A pacifist, peacemaker, or rebel?

PeaceLoveJoyHopeKindness

Bil

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P.S. People often ask me provocative questions about current events, both religious and secular. I have found that some of these questions are being asked universally. I’ll be periodically alternating regular articles with one of those questions and my answer. I invite you to send me your question to bilaulenbach@yahoo.com.

 

Photo courtesy of Unterlinden Museum