What do people out there think about me? Is my life at all similar to the life of Jesus? I don’t think it is, because I sure don’t get a rise out of people like he did.
I’m reading a book called “Binding the Strong Man: A Political Reading of Mark’s Story of Jesus” which is a commentary on the Gospel of Mark that focuses on the political aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry.
One of the things that we forget is how much Jesus was a shit-disturber in his own political context. Of course, religion and politics were completely enmeshed in His day, where they are related to one another very differently today. The question then becomes, should we be messing with political leaders or religious leaders today? In my view, the answer is yes. Mess with anyone who is exercising power in a way that steals, kills and destroys others. Jesus so challenged oppressive business-as-usual that the power brokers wanted to kill him, which they eventually managed to do.
Do I challenge life-as-usual enough in my way of life enough to make people want to kill me? No, I’m too busy trying to get them to like me I think.
Selah.
4 responses to “What Would They Think?”
mattu
thankyou. simply said.
it is what i needed to hear today.
always good to hear your heart and thoughts. honestly.
I tried to read Binding the Strong Man a couple of times, but the language level was outta my league.
But I’m upgrading my vocab now! Watch out Ched Myers, I’m coming for YOU!
It’s kind of scary to think about, for sure…
And Cam, you’re right on the verbosity of Myers. I have a sizable vocabulary, but I’ve certainly needed to hook up the dictionary a few times…
Funny you mention a dictionary. I actually bought a dictionary to read the book.
Let me know how it turns out. Perhaps I’ll give him another go this summer.