Scripture: Luke 13: 22-30. Nigel Bunce
Jesus was a political Prince of Peace. He related his teachings to the world of his day, faults and all. He called out the leaders of his day, and calls us to do likewise to enter God’s kingdom.
Why Jesus mixed politics and religion
A couple of years ago, I titled a homily Religion and politics: do they mix? I concluded that we must mix religion and politics. Otherwise, our faith would exist entirely outside our present-day world. It would focus only on an afterlife. We would spend our time imagining what heaven might be like.
However, the Gospels tell us that Jesus’ tradition was that of the Hebrew prophets. Care for the less fortunate. Whom Scripture called the poor, foreigner, orphan, and widow. That’s why Jesus crossed swords with the Temple authorities. He concerned himself with the here and now.
Hence, the poor widow who paid her Temple tax with two copper coins. All she had. Parables about dishonest managers and wicked tenants. Meaning, corrupt Temple leaders. Who didn’t realize – or at least, admit – that the vineyard (Israel) belonged to God. They were only tenants.
Preaching traditions
There are two preaching traditions. One is to focus on the words of Scripture themselves. To understand what the authors of the Scriptures intended us to learn from them. The other is to try to imagine what Jesus would say on issues that arise in our own times.
The German theologian Dietrich Bonhöffer took the first view. When he visited Union Seminary in New York , he criticized American students for taking the other one. He wrote this. “They turn their backs on all genuine theology and study many economic and political problems. Here, they feel, is the renewal of the Gospel for our time.”
I lean strongly towards the second approach. That’s why I often quote Jesus’ first words in Mark’s Gospel. “The kingdom of God is at hand.” I believe that Jesus saw himself as the Jewish Messiah. Whom God appointed as “deputy” to bring peace and justice to Israel and its people.
Additionally, I believe that we modern-day disciples of Jesus have the same task. Namely, to bring God’s Kingdom closer by making the Scriptures relevant to today’s issues. However, that immediately makes politics an inevitable part of the Gospel.
Russia;’s invasion of Ukraine and the Prince of Peace
That’s why I have to speak out about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It’s the biggest issue in the world today. Therefore, as a Christian, I’ve felt compelled to comment from a Scriptural point of view. That’s what Jesus did. He was a trouble-maker to the Temple authorities.
But, don’t we Christians call Jesus the Prince of Peace? How do we justify supporting Ukrainians who stand and fight the invaders? Actually, the expression Prince of Peace occurs only once in the whole Bible. In Isaiah Chapter 9. Never in the New Testament.
It’s this familiar piece. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. And the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
Therefore, the Prince of Peace isn’t a Christian hope at all. It refers to the Jewish Messiah. God’s agent on earth. Who would govern Israel to establish God’s righteous, just, and peaceful reign. That’s the kingdom of God that Jesus spoke about.
Why Putin’s actions are evil
Hence, I believe that this very political Prince of Peace would stand with President Zelensky. To oppose the callous behaviour of the Russians in Ukraine. Because there’s no excuse for wanton destruction of cities, especially residential areas. Or, starving out the residents of encircled cities.
Today, we call these actions war crimes. Vladimir Putin has no mercy. However, laying waste to territory is a Russian military tradition. If I can’t have this territory, you can’t either. So I will destroy it utterly, regardless of the human suffering. We have seen this in Chechnya, in Syria.
In the world we live in today, the poor, the dispossessed, the refugees are mere pawns. In a power play by an egomaniac who cares only for his personal wealth and ambition. To recreate a failed empire.
What might the political Prince of Peace say?
So, what would that very political Prince of Peace say today? I think he might point out the source of the money for the armaments. That are destroying homes, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure.The receipts from gas exports to Europe paid for them.
You, Herr und Frau Schmidt, bought the missile that destroyed the maternity hospital in Mariupol. Herr und Frau Schwendt, your utility bill paid for the shell that fell on the theatre where 1000 civilians were sheltering.
And when they finally reach a cease fire, Ukrainians will face a ruined country. Who will pay to rebuild it? The Ukrainians have no money. Will the nations that financed the destruction with their gas purchases be keen to dig deep to replace all those has been lost? Apartments, schools, universities, hospitals, electricity grid, and more. I doubt it.
Entering by the narrow door
Finally, to today’s Gospel passage. Someone asked Jesus who would enter the kingdom. In reply, Jesus talked about a narrow door. I think he meant that we must stand up for Gospel principles if we want to enter the kingdom of God. To make it come closer.
Many, he said, will not be able to enter. Once the owner of the house has shut the metaphorical door, it will be too late. Then the owner will say, “I do not know where you come from; go away.”
In the words of a favourite hymn of mine. There comes a moment to decide in the strife of good with falsehood for the good or evil side. “And the choice goes by for ever, ‘twixt that darkness and that light.”
Jesus wasn’t always Mr. Cuddles. Today’s Gospel sees the political Prince of Peace at his most prickly. Amen.