The Good That Jesus Did
There’s a nifty little summary in the book of Acts about how Jesus spent his time on earth. It says this:
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. - Acts 10:38
Over time we’ve tamed down that verse - and the life of Jesus - into small moments of individual care for wounded people. Yes, Jesus cared for individuals. And yet, it was so much more than that. Listen in to how one pastor describes what Jesus did - and how it was far broader than just touching individuals:
All through Jesus’s life, he was disarming the powers. Every time he compassionately placed his hand on a marginalized person, he was revolting against the powerful, spiritual messaging that declared that some people in society were contaminated and unworthy of touch. Every time he welcomed a sinner as worthy of love and belonging, he was rebelling against the powers that neatly divide the world into “us” and “them” categories. Every time he showed solidarity with the poor, he was rising up against the powers of greed. Every time he loved a religious outsider, he was overthrowing the power of religiosity. - Rich Villodas, Good and Beautiful and Kind
How much have you thought about of these ‘systems of domination’ as some theologians call them? How much have you experienced running afoul of these systems? When do you feel the pressure? When do you see the pressure on others? And how are you seeing Jesus subverting them?