So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. - 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 ESV
Much of the heartache, conflict, depression, and feelings of distress I’ve experienced in life have been associated with situations where I have felt or been grossly misunderstood. I have been placed in a box for a myriad of reasons: where I was raised, how I speak, what shoes I wear, the texture of my hair, the schools I attended, the shape of my body, the neighborhood in Chicago we called home, the music I enjoy, the color of my skin, and finally the cross pendant hanging around my neck. Although our brains are inherently primed for pattern recognition and categorizing, we all know how harmful, misleading, and dangerous stereotyping can be. When we put someone in a box, we contain them in a box of comfort for our own benefit, but in wrapping them up with tape, we seal their silence, disallowing any opportunity to share their uniqueness with us.
One of the most comforting realizations I meditate on regularly is just how misunderstood Jesus was while he was on earth. Before his crucifixion, he was wrongly accused, labeled, whipped, beaten, mocked, and overall persecuted to the minute of his death. He was slapped with all sorts of labels: liar, blasphemer, demon-possessed, a breaker of the commandments and laws of his time. Even the Pharisees and Sadducees (the religious elite of his time) thought he was a troublemaker, and regularly denounced him for the way he showed the Father’s love on earth and how that contrasted with their legalism and hypocritical tendencies.
Here are some labels Jesus did not wear: Republican. Conservative. Democrat. Liberal. Independent. Non-participatory.
Jesus, while others accused him of dishonoring the Sabbath, healed the blind, sick, and lonely. When others were ready to throw stones, he simultaneously brought both peace and justice. He sought out and loved those who were outcast and devalued by society because of their diseases and their decisions. He valued human life at every single stage, not just the beginning. He pursued justice, overthrowing ugliness and denouncing tyrannical, mob-like mentality. He had no tolerance for classism or racism because he died for all. He reviled those whose aim was to alienate and condemn, all the while speaking the truth in love. He provided public support to those others felt were unworthy.
' As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” - Matthew 9:9-13 ESV.
Here are some labels Jesus did wear: Suffering Servant. Honest. Steadfast. Just. Honest. Nonviolent.
Today, when we live In a world where people can be summarized by one or many of the labels they wear, it becomes imperative that those labels are expressed clearly and in their proper order. While confronting the extremes of tribalism at its worst, I’m challenged and encouraged by Jesus’s ability to stand firmly on truth, even when that truth did not fall snugly into one category. His ultimate label was Son of God. He perfectly held tension between civically engaging to influence culture and maintaining his firm identity as a citizen of heaven. This was not “both-sidesism” or a cowardly refusal to “commit to a side”, but instead a bold declaration to be in it but not of it.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.- Romans 12:2 ESV
It is a blessing to live in a country politically organized as a democracy, where our vote can determine who leads for the next four years. One thing I’ve had to remember for this election (and each one) is that none of the candidates currently running for president perfectly represents Christ’s heart for the world, and likely never will. This needs to be clearly understood because it has been disastrous and harmful to hear the label of Christian (coming from the Greek word Christianos, which translates to the phrase “follower of Christ”(Wikipedia) )being misunderstood and meant to represent something, someone, or some party that it absolutely does not. This election season, my goal is to sport one label better than all my others. I want to be a servant-hearted follower of Christ. I want to tell the truth and smash misconceptions about any party claiming to be God’s party (because fun fact: that doesn’t exist). I want to be honest about where my values, beliefs, and hope come from without othering or ostracizing those who feel differently. Because as important as it is to know what we’re voting for, it’s essential to examine how we carry ourselves as we live out those beliefs.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. -Philippians 2:4,6-8 ESV
Here’s my point: if you, on your way to the polls, think you are voting for “God’s candidate”, you are sorely misinformed, and haven’t met the Savior of the Bible. And yes, y’all, we have to vote. While there is no candidate (even beyond the two major parties) that wholeheartedly encapsulates Christ’s heart for people, we as Americans have a civic duty to let our voices be heard. This past weekend, I voted for a candidate who, although has not reflected all of my beliefs, I feel is most capable of leading our country at this time – someone capable of pursuing justice and equality to the best of their ability, and someone capable of denouncing racism, toxic nationalism, genocide, and harmful rhetoric. And when I selected submit on my ballot, I peacefully strutted away from the booth knowing that no ultimately no matter who wins (or how ugly it gets), I am ultimately submitted to a leader bigger than all the issues we have to address in America and in this universe, a leader who was so committed to his people that he died for them to show how much loved them.
My hope in sharing these thoughts (with shaky fingers) is that these words inspire you to stop and breathe. To read history (both biblical and extra biblical) for yourself. To ask before assuming, and ultimately to crave the redeemed humanity Jesus Christ gave his life for. My fueling desire for this entire blog is to provide a safe space to share about the infinite ways having a relationship (notice I didn’t say religion) with Jesus has radically changed my heart. Seriously, please ask me!
'Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. ' -1 Corinthians 10:24 ESV.
Here’s to exercising our civic duty as we aim to love our neighbors better than we have before.
-Raven
PS – As I alluded to before, this is a tough topic (one of my least favorites, tbh) to cover in a bite-sized blog post. There is so much to be said for all the ways Jesus was, in the words of brilliant, beloved pastor Tim Keller, “revolutionarily ambiguous” in his speaking the truth in love during his time. Here is one of my favorite sermons that I feel depicts her perfect civic engagement of Christ, explained by a wise teacher who has played an integral role in my faith. Please enjoy, and of course, always feel free to reach out with questions about Jesus and a desire for compassionate, respectful discussion. Thanks!
