June 14: WWJK?

"The war in Iraq is out of control." A sixteen-year-old's observation. Many would concur. The rhetoric and division intensifies daily. For some, if you’re against the war you must be against the troops and unsupportive of the President. Some would say that to speak against the war is an act of treason.

In thinking about yesterday’s “thought” about Jesus-followers “turning the world upside down” and being contra-cultural, I spent some time last night re-reading the “Sermon on the Mount” as recorded in Matthew 5-7. I couldn’t help wondering how Jesus would respond to some of the issues facing America today: immigration, racism, war, same-sex marriage, etc.,

His words about how Kingdom People respond to their “enemies” continue to cause me to struggle:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:43-45)

Does that mean loving your enemy is pre-requisite to becoming a child of God? Yes, that’s exactly what it means.

“You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39)

Yea, I’ve heard the old saying about turning the other cheek, and if they strike that one then they better duck! Since we’ve only got two cheeks Jesus only wanted us to turn twice, right? Wrong. If you're struck a second time then you turn the first one back again, and if they strike that one, you turn the second cheek a second time. If they strike that you turn the first cheek a third time.

What you don’t do is back down. You don’t give up your position. Jesus prescribes for us neither a passive response, nor an aggressive response, but a response that stands our ground without becoming like our enemy. Jesus calls us to wage peace.

I don’t know the answer to the war question. As to the current conflict in Iraq I think it’s clear by now that there was plenty of misinformation and mismanagement. When do we get out? How do we leave without leaving a bigger mess than the current state of affairs?

I don’t know, but I keep reading the Sermon on the Mount and asking the cliché question, “What would Jesus do?”

Jesus followers are called to be people who wage peace, not war. For me the question has moved from WWJD? To WWJK? Who Would Jesus Kill? I’m having a hard time putting any names on that list.

~ Father, for those of us who try to follow the Way of Jesus, give us wisdom and courage and teach us to wage peace. Amen.