As I learned today of Israel’s military attacks on Iran, I prayed for mercy and protection of lives. I should have also been praying for the Israeli soldiers and leaders who ordered the attacks. Then, my mind traveled back to an email I received last year. These are the thoughts that followed.
I know of an American nonprofit that has encouraged its members to press the US government to use military force against Iran, ostensibly in support of “pluralism and freedom in the Middle East” (🤔) but obviously in support of the policies of Israel’s current government. The executive director of this organization – a former missionary – signs his emails, including ones which call for militarized violence against Iran, “in Christ.”
I would remind this organization – and my Christian friends – of some of the words spoken by the name invoked in those emails.
Jesus of Nazareth, called by many “the Christ,” said he came to bring “life and life abundant,” but told his followers that the enemy of human souls is the one who seeks to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10-11). In calling for death and destruction, with whose agenda are humans aligning themselves?
In a time of Imperial rule and oppression, when death and destruction were imposed by the powers ruling the day, Jesus taught his followers to love their enemies and to pray for those that persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48). When Jesus’ followers wanted to call down fire to destroy some of their opposition, Jesus rebuked them (Luke 9:51-56). When Christians today call for hellfire missiles and destruction to be visited upon an enemy, would Jesus bless or rebuke them?
Jesus expressly stated, “The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many,” and “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place” (Matthew 20:25-28, John 18:36). If Christians are fighting and throwing their weight around in domination and power games for any kingdom – even the kingdom of God – did they learn that behavior from Jesus?
Jesus said that the world will recognize his followers BY THEIR LOVE (John 13:24-35). If Christians calling for militarized violence aren’t known to everyone by their love, are they even following Jesus?
I believe this organization, its executive director, and many modern Christians have confused the kingdoms and ways of earthly empires with the ways of Jesus of Nazareth – and it wouldn’t be the first time this happened.
Their calls for violence may be built upon the limited understanding of God in the Old Testament – before the Word became flesh to reveal the Truth to us (John 1:1-18). Jesus confronted such limited understandings of God directly in his Sermon on the Mount (“You have heard it said, but I say to you…” Matthew 5-6; Luke 6) and consistently throughout his life in his friendships, conflicts, ministry, opposition, death, and resurrection.
Were we to go back in time, like so many religious leaders of Jesus’ day – and maybe even Jesus’ own follower, Judas – would modern Christians have resented the fact that Jesus did not fulfill the messianic prophecies of Jewish prophets to their liking? The kingdom Jesus spoke of did not include overthrowing the Romans, vengeful bloodshed, conquest, or violent exploits. His was no kingdom like they envisioned. Do modern Christians also interpret prophecy in a way that forgives Jesus’ first coming – humbly as a lamb to be sacrificed for the sins of the world – by their expectation that at his return He will come as a conquering, battle-crowned King?
All of us risk making God in our own likeness. I try to take Jesus at his word – and to interpret other scripture through the lens of Jesus’ life and teachings. After all, Jesus did tell his followers that he was sending them out, as God had sent him (John 20:21). Jesus was the prototype – Jesus was the way – and we who call on his name are invited to follow him with our lives.
Jesus, thank you for your teaching and your example. Thank you for coming to reveal God’s heart to us. Thank you for modeling love and service and humble use of power – thank you for being willing to give your life for others. Thank you for being a leader unlike the leaders of this earth.
God, have mercy on me and your church. Teach and empower us to love our enemies. Teach and empower us to pray for our persecutors. Teach and empower us to live in love. Teach and empower us be servants who lay down our lives for others.
Holy Spirit, this week of Pentecost, would you renew your church, so that Christians are once again known for their love? Where we fall short of our calling, would you mercifully turn our hearts to repentance? Would you give us hearts tender and courageous enough to follow Jesus’ way?
Seeds Will Grow 
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