Religion and Politics (March 8)

Read: Matthew 27:11-31

Key Text: They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.  (Matthew 27:30)

Reflection: Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea from 26AD – 36AD.  The historian Josephus tells us that Pilate enraged the population by introducing images of the Roman emperor into Jerusalem, which was provocatively blasphemous for observant Jews.   Pilate commanded 500-1000 Roman soldiers who were garrisoned in the Fortress of Antonius, on the north western corner of the Temple precinct.  

The trial of Jesus was a murky mixture of politics and religion.  The religious elite are enraged by Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God, which they consider blasphemous, and are threatened by the hold they perceive he has over the people.  Their problem is that under Roman occupation they have no power to execute Jesus for his blasphemous statements.  And so Rome, in the form of Pilate, is enlisted into the conspiracy. The accusation is that Jesus’ claim to king-ship is treasonous. 

In Australia we are used to a pretty clear separation between church and state – between religion and politics.  This stands in stark contrast to the culture of 1^st century Palestine.  But even where church and state are separated, religious faith will still have political implications.  The death of Jesus eventuated in large part because he threatened the established religious, political and military power structures.  Faith in Jesus will always call into question all other allegiances as his Lordship calls for our full and complete commitment.  Indeed, as he did, we are called to take up our own cross and walk the path of suffering love that he has pioneered.

Questions: What social or political issue do you wish the church had a stronger voice in?  Where and how might Jesus be calling you to take up your cross and offer suffering love?

Read: A paper from New Testament Scholar NT Wright on the suffering death of Jesus.  Be warned, it needs to be read slowly, but is worth every meditative moment: http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Servant_Jesus.htm