To end political violence, follow the example of its most unjust victim – Jesus Christ
We can all learn from the way Jesus handled attacks against Him from people who saw Him as a religious and political enemy.
In the final hours of Jesus’ life here on earth, religious authorities who had plotted almost from the outset of His three-year ministry to tamp down the growing influence He and His followers had in Israel finally set in motion a plot to use corrupt government officials and trumped up charges to arrest Him, try Him and ultimately execute Him.
As Roman soldiers converged on the Garden of Gethsemane and Judas betrayed Him with a kiss, one of Jesus’ most trusted disciples, Peter, pulled his sword and sliced off the ear of a soldier attempting to arrest his Lord and master.
Kneeling to heal the soldier’s wound miraculously, Jesus rebuked Peter, saying, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who live by the sword shall die by the sword. Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” - Matthew 26:52-53
If ever someone had just cause to take up arms against a political enemy, was it not Jesus?
If ever someone had a good reason to speak harshly against false accusations, was it not the Righteous Judge of the world?
If ever a man had justification for hurling pointed invectives against the chorus of calumny arrayed against Him, surely it was the Son of Man.
Jesus faced an unjust arrest. At His sham trials before the Sanhedrin, Herod and Pilate, He stood mostly silent as His enemies hurled unjust accusations against Him. He submitted willingly unto death, even death on a cross.
As His life faded fast, among the last things He said on this side of His resurrection was, “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.” - Luke 23:34
These words of Jesus should ring in the ears of everyone engaged in the rough and tumble of politics. You will face opposition. They’ll distort your position in bad faith. They may even outright lie about you. They’ll insult you, mock you, twist themselves into pretzels to make you seem like the devil incarnate.
They may even come against you violently. Many politicians from the local level up to the national have used inciting language that inspires others who are steeped in conspiratorial thinking to threaten physical attacks or even to act on those threats.
Illinois has not been immune to this scourge. A 21-year-old man stands accused of making violent death threats directed at Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey.
We’re all aware by now of the vicious Oct. 28 attack against Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul.
These attacks and threats come in the wake of one of the worst peacetime outbreaks of political violence this country has ever seen, the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, which took place after months of mistruths about an allegedly stolen presidential election coming from everyone from then-president Donald Trump down to local elected office holders.
Nearly two years later, that these unsubstantiated claims continue to be peddled on the midterm campaign trail by scores of elected officials, political pundits and candidates for office, invites further violence.
In the wake of the Dobbs decision, that the media and politicians on both sides have exploited the fears of people of genuine good faith who self-identify as pro-choice and pro-life instead of elevating voices calling for a better way forward, will lead to further misunderstanding, mutual animosity and hatred.
Terrorism experts say these incidents of violence are unfortunately predictable given our political rhetoric. They point to a concept called “stochastic terrorism”, which counter-radicalization researcher Kurt Braddock defines as “... a form of incitement, where the speaker uses coded language, dogwhistles, and other subtext to justify, promote, or advocate the use of violence without providing overt directives to do so.”
We would all do well, whether or not we are Christians, to handle political opposition like Jesus did.
If you’re a Christian, when you’re faced with a situation in which you could escalate a heated political exchange, check your ego at the door, take a step back in silent prayer, and open your Bible to the passages cited above.
Ask yourself if you were sharing your faith with a non-Christian rather than sharing your political beliefs with someone who disagrees with you if you would take the same tactic.
I encourage my fellow Christians, and indeed all Americans, to consider the words of Jesus. In this time of heightened tension, remember what He said in the Sermon on the Mount.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew 5:9-10