We have evidence that Jesus’ inner circle contained at least two people with strongly opposite political beliefs. Matthew worked as a tax collector, collaborating with the Roman occupiers of Judea. Simon was known as the Zealot, a term used to describe people strongly against any kind of collaboration. As far as we know these two managed to work together and get along despite their political differences. I believe that’s still possible today, and we can help make it happen by following two principles we see in Jesus’ life and teaching.
Jesus lived incarnationally
Next month at Christmas we’ll celebrate “the incarnation,” the act of God taking on human form. God got to know us, and we got to know God on a completely new and deeper level, because God chose to live life as we live it, to see things from our perspective. Jesus followed this pattern throughout his life as he interacted meaningfully with everyone from the wealthy to the poor, from Jewish to Samaritan to pagan, from the healthy to the ill. He made an effort to know all of these people as more than just labels or stereotypes and never demonized anyone, not even the demon-possessed! Perhaps Matthew and Simon were able to work together despite their differences by living incarnationally, making an effort to understand each other and to see things from each other’s perspective.
Jesus taught and lived agape
Almost every time you read the word “love” in the New Testament, and every time Jesus uses it, the Greek word being translated is agape. It means doing good things for another person. When Jesus says to love our enemies, he’s not saying we have to feel good about them, but that we have to do good things for them regardless of how we feel. Most people respond to acts of agape with gratitude. Defensiveness lessens and willingness to collaborate increases. Maybe a steady infusion of agape wore down any animosity between Simon and Matthew and enabled them to work as a team with Jesus.
This year’s election has highlighted many divisions within our country. We followers of Jesus have an example for how to heal those divisions. In the days ahead I’ll be working to live incarnationally and to show agape to the people around me, particularly to those who voted differently than me. I hope you’ll join me in this. Together we can create an environment where people separated by politics can nevertheless work together peacefully and productively.
In Christ,
Rich
Rich Rindfuss
Access Pastor
First United Methodist Church Richardson