Jesus Was a Protester
Protesting is the antithesis of being apathetic, complicit, callous, and passive, and Christians should take comfort in the fact that Jesus — the son of God — was very good at it. Let these words sink in today. Look up the Bible verses perhaps and envision these scenes. And let the Spirit recalibrate your understanding of Jesus.
When Jesus stormed into the temple courts, interrupted the proceeding by overturning tables, yelling, and driving both people and animals out of the room using a whip, he was condemning the greed and corruption of religious hypocrites — because Jesus was a protester (John 2:13-25)
Jesus took his message to the masses, speaking and advocating wherever he could, and created a movement based on justice, hope, and love — because Jesus was a protester (Matt. 4:23-25).
Jesus garnered fame from the oppressed and notoriety from those in power — because Jesus was a protester (Luke 5:15).
Jesus confronted the leaders about their wrong practices, evil thoughts, and destructive deeds — because Jesus was a protester (Mark 2:1-12; Luke 11).
Jesus asked people to follow him and join his cause — because Jesus was a protester.
Jesus made public proclamations and tried to change social sentiment through talks, teachings, and speeches — because Jesus was a protester (Matt. 5-7).
Jesus empathized and advocated for the oppressed, hurt, abused, downtrodden, abandoned, alienated, and victimized — because Jesus was a protester (Luke 7).
Jesus stands alone before a mob that’s ready to kill a woman and intervenes on her behalf, saving her life — because Jesus is a protester.
Jesus was viciously challenged, mocked, scrutinized, threatened, slandered, ridiculed, besmirched, and discredited by authorities and leaders — because Jesus was a protester (Luke 11: Matt. 9:34; Matt. 13:56-58).
Jesus created, inspired, and sent out others protesters — because that’s what protesters do (Matt. 10)! And these other protesters (the disciples) were eventually arrested and killed, because, they too, were protesters.
Taken from “Jesus Was a Protester” on Sojourners, March 16, 2016