Reading about what is going on in the mid-east and the U.S. policies there, it seems clear to me that one basic conflict facing the Iraqis and others in that area is a conflict of loyalties and trusts. The U.S. is claiming to offer people in the Mideast a future and a hope. They need to side with U.S. interests and enjoy the benefits of democracy and American aid.
But there are competing offers on the table. Other more local powers are making offers of a hope and a future. Some Islamic teachers are offering not only hope for this life but for the life to come. Many are claiming that the U.S. is untrustworthy and one cannot expect us to fulfill our promises. How each person decides will largely depend on whom seems most trustworthy and makes the most attractive promises.
Almost a couple of millennia ago, a little bit west of Iraq, another superpower was dealing with middle eastern terrorists. In the region of Gallillee there were bands of marauders who were looked upon as freedom fighters by many in the populace, but as violent rebels by the Roman Empire. These Jewish outlaws, often called “robbers” just like Barabbas the insurrectionist and murderer was called a robber, believed that Israel should not have to suffer under pagan tyranny. They were God’s chosen people and God would help them if they were faithful and allow them to throw off the yoke of the Romans Empire.
According to Historian and Bible scholar, N. T. Wright, the ancient writer Josephus worked with the Romans to get one such bandit gang to lay down their arms. The Romans were going to wipe them out, but if Josephus, a fellow Jew, could persuade these Gallilean outlaws to lay down their arms, much bloodshed could be avoided. The leader of the group tried to have Josephus killed, but he foiled the plot. He then confronted this bandit chief. Josephus told him that he knew what he had tried to do but he was still willing to help him. The Greek of Josephus’ account of how he made his offer of aid has been translated in various ways, but it could be easily interpreted as “If you will repent and believe in me.” Josephus promised this outlaw leader that he could bring him into a better future if he would give up his own path and follow Josephus-if he would turn and entrust himself to him.
A few decades earlier, another Jew had given his contemporaries the same counsel. This one was not merely a historian and writer, but rather claimed to be an actual prophet. He didn’t just give advice to one group of rebels, but he preached to the entire nation of Israel. He accused them of becoming just like the pagans they hated precisely by hating the pagans.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
He told them that to really be the light to the world that Israel was designed to be–the city set on a hill that Jerusalem was supposed to be–they needed to turn the other cheek when slapped, and go the extra mile when pressed into the forced labor of carrying a burden for one of the oppressors. Israel had largely entrusted themselves to teachers who told them that God would honor them if they showed zeal against the pagans. This teacher told them that their chosen path was unreliable and would only lead to ruin–the very judgment of God
This man was a prophet, but he was more than a prophet. Jesus not only taught these things, but as the true Son of God he fulfilled them himself. He embodied and fulfilled Israel’s commission to glorify God before the nations. Even though personally innocent, he suffered the full weight of the curse on God’s people, submitting to a humiliating death at the hands of both Israelites and the pagans. He alone practiced what he preached.
As a result, in him God brought about his promised future of resurrection life–not only for his sake but for all those who would turn from their own way and entrust themselves to him.
The point here is that we too, no matter how good we have it, are also confronted with a basic conflict of loyalties and trusts. Whom do we trust to bring us into a blessed future? To whom are we ultimately loyal? Do we think of ourselves as first and foremost Americans who happen to be Christians? Or do we think of ourselves as Christians who happen to be Americans–Christians united by faith and Spirit to all the Christians in the Mideast and South America, and Sudan and everywhere else?
Whom do we trust? To whom have we entrusted ourselves?