In our gospel reading for today, Jesus is threatened by some Pharisees, who CLAIM that the powers-that-be in Jerusalem want Jesus killed. The Pharisees have seen enough out of Jesus to know that if he were to rally the people, the Pharisees would be out of business as religious leaders, and they would lose their position of privilege. So they want Jesus to steer clear of their base of power – the temple in Jerusalem. But Jesus calls their bluff, and responds with a promise: “I must be on my way – I will not be deterred by force....”
Poor Greenland! Can you imagine what it would feel like to be in the sights of Donald Trump, to have on the record that Donald was going to take over your territory “one way or another?” Sure, his first choice is to buy the place, promising investment and citizenship and lower taxes and military protection. But if the new government doesn't agree to 1) pursue independence from Denmark, and 2) agree to the terms of sale, there is always a possibility that the next ship arriving in Nuuk Harbour will be carrying more than diplomats. The possibility of force is a powerful influence – one that the new Greenlandic Inatsisartut, or parliament will have to consider....
King Herod was no stranger to the possibility of force - he had a reputation for committing violence on all those who stood in his way, just ask the decapitated John the Baptist. Aside from the Roman governor Pilate, Herod was the most powerful man in the most powerful city in the region - Jerusalem. So what better threat could the Pharisees use to keep Jesus OUT of Jerusalem than to “warn” him that Herod wanted him dead. Would Jesus be stupid enough to show up on Herod's doorstep, if he knew Herod had him in his sights?
But the funny thing is, the Pharisees LIED. Herod actually wanted to MEET Jesus, not kill him. He was anxiously hoping to see Jesus perform some kind of miraculous sign in his presence. It was only when Jesus refused to acknowledge his authority in Luke chapter 23, that Herod turned hostile to Jesus. The Pharisees were counting on the POSSIBILITY of force, not the CERTAINTY of force, to intimidate Jesus.
We also live in a situation where there are powers trying to intimidate Jesus. We live in a politically correct society. And so, if our position on how Jesus wants us to handle a certain situation can be construed as a judgment, or even as a lack of enthusiastic support, of some definable behaviour or group – if following Jesus means making a choice that is a “phobia” or an “ism” - there are powers at work that would like to keep Jesus away. And at their disposal is the possibility of the force of a hostile legal system – human rights tribunals, fines, and even prison.
We also live in a society that is trending towards the secular. And so, if we are zealous in our proclamation of Jesus – if we insist on keeping Jesus' name on as many lips and headlines as possible – there are powers at work that would like to keep Jesus away. And at their disposal is the possibility of the force of censorship – removing prayer from public places, and even temporarily, or permanently, banning events that praise his name.
We also live in a society of religious pluralism. And so, if we declare ourselves as followers of Jesus, we also declare ourselves as NOT followers of Mohammed, Confucius, Buddha, Krishna, Wicca, and so on - there are powers at work that would like to keep Jesus' message far away from what they consider THEIR people. And at THEIR disposal is the possibility of the force of violence. And it helps that in some places of the world, there's not just the possibility, but the history of violence. Are we stupid enough to associate with Jesus, when society has Jesus in their sights?