There is much dialog about "Christian Values" and some with strong "Christian Values" oppose President Obama's programs because the programs are "too socialist". One woman asked me if I was worried about the President being too much a "socialist". I have given that question much thought. Now I have a question. Does anyone believe that Jesus and His mother Mary were anything but radicals?
Let's start with Mary. She was an unwed mother. The one who risked everything in saying "Yes". Joseph only believed Mary after an angel appeared to him in a dream. He was ready to end their engagement. He planned to do so "quietly" so as to spare Mary the harshest of punishments. Mary hardly behaved like a "good and pious girl". But she was carrying God's Child so perhaps conservative Christians believe that made being an unwed mother okay and perfectly acceptable. Not then, not when a young girl is trying to explain a visit from an angel and a divine pregnancy.
Jesus constantly and consistently went after the Scribes and Pharisees. Why? Because they were more concerned with enforcing laws than understanding the real meaning of loving God and one another. Jesus was a threat to the Scribes and Pharisees. He called them hypocrites and told them they were the worst sinners. Jesus performed miracles on the Sabbath and let His disciples pick food on the Sabbath, both of which were forbidden. Jesus was a radical.
And Jesus was a socialist!
Not true! Not possible! Not Jesus!
Read this passage Matthew 25:34-46
34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' 40 And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' 44 Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' 45 Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
FEED THE HUNGRY! CLOTHE THE NAKED! GIVE WATER TO THE THIRSTY! WELCOME STRANGERS! CARE FOR THE SICK! VISIT THE IMPRISONED!
An older woman told me that she did not like President Obama's policy of taking from the rich and giving to the poor. I asked if she would prefer he take from the poor and give to the rich. Of course, she said no. But I must admit I was a bit surprised at her anger about the idea of a "redistribution of wealth" because I know that she and the members of her group that eat at our restaurant on Sundays are all devout Christians. They attend services more than once throughout the week and are all involved in their church. They also happen to be conservative, have comfortable incomes and most are in their 60s and 70s.
Jesus had no wealth. He had no possessions.He was born in a manager, not a palace. His mother, Mary, did not have wealth. They both lived simply. What would Jesus think of the idea of the rich giving to the poor?
Read Matthew 19:16-22
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
17 "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments."
18 "Which ones?" he inquired. Jesus replied, " 'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.' "
20 "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
21 Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Perhaps one day we who call ourselves Christians might actually become followers of Christ!