Pastor Aaron Brown

It has been interesting to watch Christians react to the Olympic opening ceremony debate. As the story develops, and public statements come out, I think there is a lot of nuance to explore. However, let’s sidestep all the opinions and commentary and talk about how Jesus may have responded instead… Would he be mad at those who we are being cast as the enemy, or would he have a word or two to say about how his followers are responding to it? I wonder if his personal response would be similar to his actions when he was being attacked in the garden of Gethsemane.

“Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.  “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” – Matthew 26:49-54 

“But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.” – Like 22:51 

As we see in this story, it’s natural to be offended by a perceived attack on Christ. However, remember that followers of Jesus were never promised respect, power, or even comfort in this world. Jesus example in the garden is one of rejecting the use of violent power to protect himself and healing his enemy on the way to his death. He understood that even his own physical safety was less important than God’s plan to reconcile all people to right relationship with Himself. If we want to take our cues from the leader himself, then we should look at how he is reacting in the situation instead of leaping over his teaching by resorting to violence. If his posture in the garden of Gethsemane is any indication of his overall temperament and focus, then I think we can apply it to this situation as well. Jesus always flips our human power structures and hierarchies on their heads and calls his followers to love those they perceive as the enemy. 

Jesus’ life was an example of giving away worldly power and safety while leaning toward those who felt on the outside of God’s love. What if those who we are painting as the enemy in the situation are the mission? What if, like the servant who’s ear got cut off, they are innocent bystanders in a larger cosmic power struggle? What if they need healing just as much as we want comfort and control? Are they feeling the love of Jesus in our responses to this apparent offense? Or are we, like Simon Peter, justifying our violent actions because we think Jesus needs our help?

Every conflict is an opportunity to show both truth and grace. In this situation, it’s okay to feel offense and to speak your feelings, but that’s not an excuse to move to outrage, shaming, cancellation, or continuing to marginalize those who Jesus would be spending a lot of time and energy caring for and welcoming into the Kingdom of God. Maybe it’s time to echo the words of Christ: “No more of this! Put away your sword. Those who live by the sword died by the sword.” Instead of violence, verbal or otherwise, how can we embody the accurate representation of the heart and image of Christ that we want to see in this world? What does it look like for us to lean toward the other with love in our eyes and healing in our touch?

Grace is the art of admitting that things may not be how they should be, or how we would like them to be, but choosing to love the other anyway. Jesus shows us this in the garden when he heals the man’s ear, and walks off to his death. He sidesteps the power struggle because he knows who’s really in control (God the Father), and what really at stake (hearts and souls). Let’s choose grace, lead with love, and let God worry about defending himself.

There is no human enemy. 

People are the only thing that last forever.