Jesus was an activist

Category: By DuNi

Jesus was an activist.  I have always believed that He was one.  This fact has been overlooked for thousand of years for just the simple reason that the word “activism” itself is a 20th century invention.  In the book of Matthew, Chapter 10 Verse 34 of the New Testament,

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the world; no, I do not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

These vigilant words are proof enough that Jesus intends to exercise the power of action in the service of a party or a doctrine.  In His case, the Christian doctrine, and by mean of actions He was able to command people to follow him.

“Great crowds followed him from Galilee and the ten towns, from Jerusalem, Judea, and the land on the other side of the Jordan.” (Matthew 4:25)

When we hear the word ACTIVIST or ACTIVISM, we have often associated it with the words PROTEST and DISSENT.  We have always imagined ANARCHY and VIOLENCE as the repercussions of activism, that is why we have told our children and loved ones to stay away to any dissident within our neighborhood.

Activism is an action embraced by someone who has the will to stand up to his principles or doctrines, regarding whatever the critics and enemies will say or do:

“For the days will come upon you when your enemies will surround you with barricades, blockade you, and close in on you from every side.” (Luke 19:43)

Perhaps this is the main reason why the civilized world would look upon activist with hate and disgust, as with confused parents, superiors, and loved ones who most times do not understand what being vigilant and standing up for your right would mean to each and every people who are sick and tired of all the wickedness that surrounds us.  Corruption, whether religious, moral, or political, can only be subdued by those who took action against them.  Vigilance without corresponding action is like consenting to worldwide evil the capitalist world has brought us.  Jesus was a man of action – he performed miracles, taught the virtues, gave the sermon at the mount, and drove away the wicked even those inside the church.

 “Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out the merchants.” (Luke 19:45)

Whatever the past has taught us, whether biblical or historical - activism, or the plan of action in defiance of any popular ideology, will not be embraced by the majority of the citizens of the world who has welcomed the blinding pop culture that has spread the evil and immorality the world has been experiencing after Christ’s death.

As what Jesus said to his disciples:

“There is great harvest, but few workers to gather it in.” (Matthew 9:37)

18 comments so far.

  1. Babaeng Macho *-* February 24, 2009 at 11:20 AM
    copy-paste ko po:)
    email ko ulit ito!!!
    salamat sir!
  2. Jhuly P. February 24, 2009 at 11:38 AM
    link ko rin po ito
  3. RG de Castro February 24, 2009 at 11:49 AM
    yep he's always in action but actually if we read the whole chap 10 we'll see that the context of him bringing a sword is if the people, even the ones closest to us, will hinder us from having a relationship with him, we will face persecution up to rejection... and eventually death.
  4. Jhuly P. February 24, 2009 at 11:52 AM
    Tama sinabi mo... to follow Christ sa kanyang Social Involvement will mean persecution... by the State and sadly by other people...
  5. DuNi @ February 24, 2009 at 12:01 PM
    sa tingin ko rin isa lang naman ang kahulugan ng espada...
    ang paghandaan ang laban at magtanggol... maging handa sa kung sinuman na magiging salungat sa anuman na ipinaglalaban... hindi man yun ang direktang kahulugan ng sinasabi sa banal na akyat, isa pa rin yun sa maaring dahilan...
  6. mark mark February 24, 2009 at 8:26 PM
    re-post ku .^^
  7. linsi linsi February 24, 2009 at 8:38 PM

    hehe...
  8. Leslie Amor Ureta October 9, 2009 at 12:11 PM
    i agree, Jesus was an activitst and He speaks about warfare. this however is not limited to physical battle or standing up and making sure that His points are heard. the war he wages is complete and holistic, from those that can be seen by the eye and those that remain unseen. those who follow Him shall need this sword. the sword He brought is the sword of the Spirit, which we need as much as we need physical strength.

    thanks and may the 'sword' be with you =)
  9. linsi linsi October 9, 2009 at 1:28 PM
    Agreed- Jesus was an activist- pero anong klaseng aktibista cya?
    He prayed for those who persecute him- -----Matthew 5:44
    he prayed foremost for those who donot agree with him
    and those who are against him and let the Father decide-

    He prayed for the government-------Romans 13:1

    He paid taxes to Caesar- Matthew 22:21

    not only paying taxes what it means- but when we
    build and create businesses big or small
    we register it and from the profit (gross or net)
    we make offerings to our church, charity institutions
    and what is due for the BIR

    I agree He is an activist- he is active in doing what is right
    when he talked to a samaritan woman by the well
    which was forbidden for a jew-

    because everybody needs enlightenment, needs a good
    advice, and needs a chance to an open mind-
  10. linsi linsi October 9, 2009 at 1:34 PM
    agreed

    sa ating mga readers, wag po nating alisin ang buong context
    Matthew 10:34- kunin natin ng buo ang paragraph-34 pataas-

    NIV

    34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

    35For I have come to turn
    " 'a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
    a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law —
    36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'

    37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

    38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

    39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
  11. linsi linsi October 9, 2009 at 1:52 PM
    agreed-

    it is in the service of God's doctrine-
    and what is God's doctrine?


    when God disposed his decision against 1/3 of the angels
    who rebelled in heaven long ago- these angels took rebellion
    agains HIS righteousness and desired to be gods themselves

    when God gave all of us the freedom of choice and will

    when God gave the 10 commandments knowing beforehand
    that we will choose to disobey-
    sino ang makakasunod sa lahat ng 10 utos? wala the reason
    he gave his son and we are under his grace- ( unmeritted favor )

    when God allowed both good and evil to exist- Matthew 13:24-30

    when God patiently waits for you and me to
    straighten our lives and our paths

    when God first loved us even if we are not worthy-

    when God said vengeance is mine- to save all of us from trouble

    Did Jesus live his life with violence? No-
    He was full of love, he was a peaceful man, he was obedient to God
    and to Caesar- he was full of wits- he preached and taught people
    about God's Kingdom and righteousness, He got angry at the right time
    and right reasons in the temple-

    He has always time to talk about issues, about rebellions
    about peaceful means and about the coming judgment
    when the mercy seat of God is no longer available and the
    seat of judgment will be-

    everything in the new testaments speak of praying, fasting
    and acting- there are no decisions which were not consulted by
    deep prayers and involvement with God-

    Paul and all the disciples- were activists but they
    never waded far from Jesus' message of love to God
    and to fellowmen, these disciples and even prophets
    though peaceful men where killed by active murderers

    Jesus preached the truth and the people shouted
    crucify him

    i never said we would not fight if needed
    God said in thanksgiving, prayers and supplication
    let your request be made known unto God-

    If we will fight evil head on let us make sure
    that our hands are clean-

    I will everybody with one question which the devil asks us
    every now and then-

    And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?

    Acts 19:15
  12. linsi linsi October 9, 2009 at 2:05 PM
    agreed-

    Jesus speaks of a warfare- it is the spiritual warfare in the spiritual realms-

    For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places .


    why heavenly places? because there are three dimensions of heavens-
    and the rulers of darkness and spiritual hosts- are perched on high places, high mountains, high buildings- overseeing nations- demons report to their
    master the one which holds the strongholds of wickedness (consult bible and bible commentaries)



    the one who influences people's mind using the sword of violence
    the one who steals, kills and destroys John 10:10 therefore
    he is the one who influences people to corruptions
    greed, pride,

    the one who drives forces to engage people to war
    to fight to rape, to murder one another, to cheat
    to lie, to engage in illegal sex/relationships

    the cup of abominations-

    they are the principalities , and powers and rulers
    of darkeness in high places, heavenly places atop the
    mountains and constantly watching who to devour

    there are assigned princess of darkness to every nation
    sino kaya ang naka assign sa Pinas dahil naaaaaaaa paka tindi
    ng strongholds sa ating bansa-?


  13. DuNi @ October 9, 2009 at 2:15 PM
    pastora hinay hinay lang at baka umusok dito sa kinauupuan ko...
  14. Leslie Amor Ureta October 9, 2009 at 2:25 PM
    bulls eye! indeed meron.
    allow me to post:
    When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive. (Proverbs 28:28)
    kasumpa-sumpa ang kahihinatnan ng bansang may lider na sakim.
  15. linsi linsi October 9, 2009 at 3:28 PM
    nyahaha kaw duni ha, nde po ako pastora wah--

    kaya lang pag ganitong usapan na ti trigger lamang meh- explain lang naman wala namang sapilitan- kaya nga i left you with a questions sa book of acts di ba?

    peace po--

    txt kita pag nauwi meh- may charity program po tayo- ^__^
  16. linsi linsi October 9, 2009 at 3:30 PM
    thank you lacelee

    koprek na korek ka jan--
  17. DuNi @ October 9, 2009 at 3:45 PM
    ma-a-ambunan ba ako ng charity lols
  18. linsi linsi October 9, 2009 at 8:51 PM


    oo nga pala noh? ikaw ang nag charity works sa meh nun,
    first aid-saklay hahaha! talagang kapaki pakinabang
    ka sa eb haha!

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