Conversation in Faith

Good Friday is a day filled with violence, filled with the routine violence of the empire. Jesus was arrested by armed soldiers at night. He was beaten. Mocked. Tried and convicted by authorities who want to preserve their power at all costs and so therefore appease a crowd. Ridiculed as he are executed. Jesus was not the first to be treated like this. Jesus was not the last to be treated like this. He died as many humans die from the power of the state. And yet, he was not simply any human.

Through all this violence, Jesus the Messiah, invites us to join him in the kingdom of non violence.

The violence begins the night before Good Friday. After the Last Supper, Jesus and the disciples go to Gethsemane and there Jesus is arrested.

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.”  At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.  Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.  Suddenly one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear.  Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will die by the sword.  Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26: 47-53 NRSVue

All four gospels record this act of violence against the slave of the high priest. In Luke’s gospel, the disciples ask “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” After the man is injured, Jesus says, “No more of this!” and heals the man.¹, ² In John’s gospel, Jesus commands Peter, “Put your sword back in its sheath.”³ We can wonder if the disciples lashed out in fear when they saw the armed crowd coming at them. We can wonder if they somehow thought they could defend Jesus against an armed crowd. Whatever the impulse, Jesus’ response was, put your sword away. Jesus refused violence to save himself, refused to appeal to God for rescue.

When Jesus was brought before Pilate, the non violent nature of Jesus’ kingdom was made clear.

Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?”  John 18:33-38a NRSVue

The origin and values of Jesus’ kingdom belong to God. He is not beholden to the violent rules and domination values of human empires. If Jesus’ kingdom was just another human enterprise, his followers would use violence to preserve it. Jesus’ kingdom is about the non violent transformation of the world. Taking us from the values of empire to the values of God. Jesus comes to proclaim the truth of God’s kingdom. Jesus is in fact the Truth, even though Pilate cannot recognize the Truth as he stands before him.

In Luke’s gospel, Jesus forgives the people who are crucifying him. “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” ⁴ The kingdom of non violence has not place for retribution.

In a world filled with violence, in a world that promotes and glorifies violence, the way of Jesus is indeed the narrow gate. ⁵ It is the hard road. Life in the kingdom of non violence makes no sense in the kingdoms of violence. And yet, that is Jesus’ invitation to us.

1. Luke 22:49-51 ↩︎
2. You may be wondering about Luke 22:35-38, where Jesus tells the disciples “And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one.” some commentators see permission from Jesus to carry weapons, at least defensively. Commentators struggle with this verse because it is inconsistent with Jesus’ previous teaching. Has Jesus changed his mind in the face of imminent danger? The commentary on Luke 22:36 in The New Oxford Annotated Bible, (117 NT)is helpful. “An example of Jesus’ fondness for striking metaphors (see Mt 23.24, Mk 10.25), but the disciples take it literally. The sword apparently meant to Jesus a preparation to live by one’s own resources against hostility. THe natural meaning of v.38 is that the disciples supposed he spoke of an actual sword, only to learn that two swords were sufficient for the whole enterprise, I.e. were not to be used at all” Jesus comment, after the disciples show him their two swords, “It is enough.” is an expression of exasperation along the lines of “enough from you!” ↩︎
3. John 18:11 ↩︎
4. Luke 23:34 ↩︎
5. Matthew 7:13-14 ↩︎