The Revolution Story: Us Versus Them
January 19, 2025
Luke 23:34, Matthew 5:38-48
Series based on The Seventh Story, by Brian McLaren & Gareth Higgins
You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you that you must not oppose those who want to hurt you. If people slap you on your right cheek, you must turn the left cheek to them as well. When they wish to haul you to court and take your shirt, let them have your coat too. When they force you to go one mile, go with them two. Give to those who ask, and don’t refuse those who wish to borrow from you.
Matthew 5:38-42
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The Revolution Story is fueled by a desire for justice but often resorts to violence as the only means of achieving it. In Jesus’ time, The Zealots most embodied this narrative, fiercely resisting Roman rule through armed rebellion. They believed that only a violent revolution could restore Israel's independence and purity. In their eyes, the Romans were oppressors who had to be overthrown at any cost. Interestingly enough, even Jesus had a zealot named Simon among his disciples. Simon undoubtedly hoped Jesus would lead a successful revolution against Rome, while in turn Jesus modeled for Simon a revolution of the heart.
Jesus' teachings directly challenged the Zealots' methods. While He preached justice, he also called His followers to love their enemies, even those who persecuted them. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Jesus proposed a revolutionary approach — one that sought peace through love, reconciliation, and forgiveness, not violence. This is seen clearly when He prays from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
In our polarized world, the Revolution Story plays out in social movements and political ideologies that often escalate into conflict. Recent leaders in our own country have proclaimed the “eye for an eye” texts from the Old Testament as a valid Biblical way of dealing with political opponents, despite Jesus’ explicit renunciation of this teaching.
Jesus’ example calls us to pursue justice, but without compromising the call to love and forgiveness. Some view such a response as weakness, but the reality is much deeper. Jesus was actively leading a non-violent resistance movement, much like Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr.
The historian Josephus personally struggled with such non-violent resisters, because they didn’t fight fair. Rome knew what to do with a revolutionary… they would simply kill them. But to kill an unarmed and seemingly weak protestor would bring shame upon the far more powerful Roman soldier. If a soldier was allowed to force someone to carry their pack for a mile, for example, carrying it a second mile would make the soldier look like he was abusing his power and cause him a great deal of trouble with his superiors.
Jesus isn’t calling us to be doormats, but he does require that our resistance to oppression in this world models the ways of peace, love and justice for all.
In what areas of your life do you struggle to balance justice with mercy?
How might you adopt Jesus' nonviolent revolution in your own personal conflicts?