The Way of Jesus—The Way of Love

Written by Beau Hoffman

Jesus was born into a people group subjugated by Roman rule. For centuries the Israelites had long awaited their Messiah, who they believed would overthrow their captors and set them free. Indeed, many old testament prophecies and Jesus’ own message were about deliverance, freedom and liberty.

In fact, Jesus was bold and preached a revolutionary message. Caesar was believed to have obtained his rule through divine authority and demanded to be called “Lord.” Caesar was also believed to be the son of god who would ascend to the right hand of god after his death. Jesus vocally opposed that message. Jesus declared that he was Lord of all. Jesus declared that He was son of God and son of Man. Jesus declared that he came to establish a new kingdom—the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said he would ascended to the right hand of the Father. This was a revolutionary message directly opposed to and subversive of the powers of Rome and, in particular, Caesar. [If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that message that could get you killed.]

And yet Jesus never stooped to the view of messiah for which the Israelites long awaited. He never encouraged violence. He never employed a violent revolution to bring liberation or freedom to the captives (much to Judas’ chagrin). He established a new way founded upon love for all, even love of enemy. Significantly, Jesus said that although the Jews and his followers had heard it said “an eye for an eye”—meaning not to respond with vengeance that is greater than the harm done to you—Jesus instituted a new way of loving even those who set themselves up as our enemy and blessing those who harm us. 

How did Jesus attempt to establish this new kingdom? By inviting humanity into the divine reality of Love. He repeated often, “I and the Father are one, “I only do what I see the Father doing,” “If you have seen me you have seen the Father.” And Jesus knew that God is Love and only responded as God responded—even as he was wrongly convicted and unjustly sentenced to death, even as he was mocked with a robe and coronated with thorns, and even as he was violently nailed to a criminal’s cross and as his last breaths were stolen from him, his message remained, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Jesus knew, lived, encouraged, imparted, and overflowed with Love. 

Jesus’ message is seemingly not at all about “overthrowing” the rulers and principalities of the world—that could have been accomplished in the wilderness simply by giving into the temptations of the devil. No, Jesus always had a better plan that involved the restoration of all things, including redemption and justice for the oppressed and humility and restoration for the oppressor. Jesus didn’t seek to overthrow, but to subvert. He fed the hungry. He healed the sick. He cared for orphans and widows. He loved children. He spent time with outcasts and those who were viewed as being “less than” and he routinely allowed himself to be touched by those who were deemed unclean.  He viewed the worthless as invaluable. That’s the Love that got him killed. Jesus’ birth, life, passion, death and resurrection exposed the absurdity of abusive force, coercion, greed and oppressive rule.

The one who embodied perfect Love, gentleness, compassion and kindness was murdered by the violence and power of empire. Thankfully Love doesn’t bow to violence by responding to violence with violence, it highlighted the truth that violence can never achieve restoration and redemption. Only Love can do that. Jesus instituted a new way of life where all are welcomed and all are loved. The principalities that seek to divide and subjugate are exposed as mere grasps for power. Even when those principalities silenced Jesus’ message of love and equality by killing him, hope abound when he overcame the grave. Jesus defeated death and the old way of thinking. Love cannot be silenced and Love drives out all fear. Love wins. Praise God.