“Too often the price exacted by society for security and respectability is that the Christian movement in its formal expression must be on the side of the strong against the weak. This is a matter of tremendous significance, for it reveals to what extent a religion that was born of a people acquainted with persecution and suffering has become the cornerstone of a civilization and of nations whose very position in modern life has too often been secured by a ruthless use of power applied to weak and defenseless peoples.” (Howard Thurman, “Jesus and the Disinherited”; p. 11. Beacon Press. Kindle Edition.)

“When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 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.” (Matthew 20:24-28)

When Howard Thurman writes: “…for it reveals to what extent a religion that was born of a people acquainted with persecution and suffering has become the cornerstone of a civilization…whose very position in modern life has too often been secured by a ruthless use of power applied to weak and defenseless peoples.” — well this should make all Christians pause and think how the church is viewed by those who, as Thurman writes, have their “backs against the wall”. The ones who have their backs against the wall are the ones Jesus identifies in his Sermon on the Mount.

When we want to turn to the true meaning of Jesus and his teaching message, we can turn to the Sermon on the Mount for edification. Jesus identifies what it means to be in right relationship with G-d. The servant is the person who knows his or her spiritual poverty (Matt. 5:3) and exercises power under G-d’s control (Matt. 5:5) to maintain right relationships. The servant leader apologizes for mistakes (Matt. 5:4), shows mercy when others fail (Matt. 5:7), makes peace when possible (Matt. 5:9), and endures unmerited criticism when attempting to serve G-d (Matt. 5:10) with integrity (Matt. 5:8). Jesus set the pattern in his own actions on our behalf (Matt. 20:28). We show ourselves to be Christ-followers by following his example.

To some extent this was also the attitude of the Sadducees and most probably the Herodians. They represented the “upper” class and the ones aligned with Herod. From the Sadducees came the high priests.

Economic security was so dependent upon worship in the temple — it was their monopoly. The Sadducees and the Herodians did not represent the masses of the people. Any uprising, any zealous outbreaks, any “undo” disturbance of the established order meant upsetting their position.

Yes they loved Israel, but they were more interested in keeping the public peace with Rome — because that also meant they could continue to go about the business of living.

Their tragedy was in the fact that they they saw only two roads open before them—become like the Romans or be destroyed by the Romans. They chose the former.

We have seen Christianity use this same formula throughout the centuries to bring certain people under the will and rule of the “upper class”. The famous zealously of the Inquisition — the fanaticism of Nazism — and in America, the use of Pauls’ words to justify slavery.

It is the sin of arrogance that has tended to denigrate the mission and teaching of Jesus Christ to turn it against itself to be an instrument of self-righteousness on the one hand and racial superiority on the other.

It is time for Christians to find a new mission and teaching that will give hope to people who have their “backs against the wall”.

Pastor Dave