Thursday, 07 July 2005
Did Jesus
encourage the disciples to fight? No, He didn't. I
believe Jesus may allow His disciples to use force violently and fight
the evil doers similar to the future apocalyptic event. Nonetheless, He
made it clear that His kingdom was and is not of this world. His
servants known as His pupils would fight till death if His kingdom were
of this world. Jesus asserted these following words to the political
leaders of His time.
My kingdom is not of this world.
If My kingdom were of this world,
My servants would fight,
so that I should not be delivered to the Jews;
but now My kingdom is not from
here.
Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You
a king then?"
Jesus answered,
"You say
rightly that I am a king.
For this cause I was born,
and for this cause I have come
into the world,
that I should bear witness to the
truth.
Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?"
And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews,
and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all. (John 18:36-38
The
followers of Christ are versatile and excellent fighters of a different
kind of conflict or engagement. We were taught by our master to do
“good” to those who hate us. Love our enemies. Sound like
unconventional way of overcoming our enemies. While our enemies are
building up hatred in their hearts to commit murders, we are on the
other hand, filling our hearts with divine love to give life and understanding among the inhabitants of the earth.
The
cycle of violence would continue if we follow the principle of “An eye
for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” which Jesus had quoted with stern
disapproval. The Christian crusaders and Muslim martyrs may choose the
path of violent religious conflict to their extinction. Too bad
innocent victims are being used as part of a scheme to create fear,
claiming that the end would justify their means.
Our kingdom is not of this world. Our
Master Jesus Christ had said it so. Period. The kingdom
of Christ
is above and beyond the governmental operation of this world. We are
here for a purpose. We are the salt of the earth, often misunderstood
as passive pacifiers and useless citizens. We should not
be a part of
the global conflict or parcel of the religious tug of war. Let
us continue to become the light of this world that they who love
or
hate us may see our good works and glorify our heavenly Dad.
Reference:
Luke
22:48-51
48 But
Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a
kiss?"
49 When
those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord,
shall we strike with the sword?"
50 And
one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right
ear.
51 But
Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and
healed him.
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