Jesus the Fear-Mongered

Letting actual fruit be the measurement of righteousness.

Recently the word empathy came under fire. It’s a weird flex for those who love Jesus because it’s so close to who he was. Like compassion. Or love.

“Watch out for the use of the word empathy…it might actually be the devil!”

(Perhaps it wasn’t that blatant of a fear-mongering warning, but it seemed like it.)

Maybe this is why Jesus came to put flesh on the Word — and on our words. In the end, we aren’t called to shaping and forming the correct words in beautiful ways, though this can be helpful, satisfying, aesthetically pleasing, and even holy. Words are a tool, not an end.

So maybe this is why it’s important to remember that the end of the gospel is not a preached sermon or a witty morning devotional. The goal of the kingdom is not a righteously-formed ethics book, doctrinal statement, or signed petition.

None of those things is bad in and of itself. They are just not the gospel goal.

No—the gospel goal is a freed life. A liberated soul. A breaking of the chains of difficulty, evil, or sinfulness.

This is what Jesus has charged his Church with: to free people who are possessed — by darkness, fear, despair, addiction, greed, or anything else that binds. But the religious leaders? They’ve got questions. Accusations, actually. People in need are clamoring around Jesus, seeking this liberating help. It’s gotten so crazy that even his family has got questions and concerns.

…

Recently someone shared their concerns with me about the church in the US helping immigrants. “What if they’re doing illegal things? We ought to avoid the appearance of evil by not helping any of them.” I know that sounds harsh and unbelievable to some of you. But it was truly his concern. I was dumb-founded.

But this is what happens when fear takes root. And it’s the kind of mongering that got Jesus arrested, beaten, and killed.

But he pressed on. And he’s called his people to, too.

Part of the good news is that he is with us in it.

But be careful to not get caught up in just making better words, more righteous protests. Jesus’ verbal silence in the face of accusations is a testament to our path. The Christlike way forward is filled with actionable deeds, filled with love, compassion, and empathy. Maybe few will notice.

But those in need usually recognize grace and compassion.

And surely God does.

Mark 3:13-30

Jesus went up on a mountain and called those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve and called them apostles. He appointed them to be with him, to be sent out to preach, and to have authority to throw out demons. He appointed twelve: Peter, a name he gave Simon; James and John, Zebedee’s sons, whom he nicknamed Boanerges, which means “sons of Thunder”; and Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, Alphaeus’ son; Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean; and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.

Jesus entered a house. A crowd gathered again so that it was impossible for him and his followers even to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they came to take control of him. They were saying, “He’s out of his mind!”

The legal experts came down from Jerusalem. Over and over they charged, “He’s possessed by Beelzebul. He throws out demons with the authority of the ruler of demons.”

When Jesus called them together he spoke to them in a parable: “How can Satan throw Satan out? A kingdom involved in civil war will collapse. And a house torn apart by divisions will collapse. If Satan rebels against himself and is divided, then he can’t endure. He’s done for. No one gets into the house of a strong person and steals anything without first tying up the strong person. Only then can the house be burglarized. I assure you that human beings will be forgiven for everything, for all sins and insults of every kind. But whoever insults the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. That person is guilty of a sin with consequences that last forever.” He said this because the legal experts were saying, “He’s possessed by an evil spirit.”

Psalm 27:7-14

Lord, listen to my voice when I cry out—have mercy on me and answer me!
Come, my heart says, seek God’s face. Lord, I do seek your face! Please don’t hide it from me! Don’t push your servant aside angrily—you have been my help! God who saves me, don’t neglect me! Don’t leave me all alone! Even if my father and mother left me all alone, the Lord would take me in. Lord, teach me your way; because of my opponents, lead me on a good path. Don’t give me over to the desires of my enemies, because false witnesses and violent accusers have taken their stand against me.
But I have sure faith that I will experience the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!

Hope in the Lord! Be strong! Let your heart take courage! Hope in the Lord!

Prayer

God,

There is so much fear in the world—and I confess, sometimes in me too. Fear of getting it wrong. Fear of being misunderstood. Fear of what others might think if I show mercy too freely. Fear that if I don’t say the right words, my grandchildren will shake their heads at me.

But Jesus was accused of being in league with demons just for setting people free. He kept going — with love, with purpose, with grace.

So help me to follow you, even when it’s misunderstood. Even when fear tries to take over. Give me courage that’s not made of bravado, but of compassion. And remind me, always, that you are with us in it.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.