Ramadan Reflections On Jesus 5

Dave Andrews

In the third phase of his nonviolent jihad for love and justice Jesus advocated communities with leadership that would serve the people rather than oppress them. In his countercultural communities, Jesus encouraged people to liberate themselves from captivity to the political economy, by developing compassion for people that transcended the sick, obsessive, compulsive, preoccupation with power, position, and property that characterised society. ‘God is compassionate,’ Jesus said. ‘Be as compassionate as God’ (Luke 6:35–36). All oppressive forms of politics were denounced. Charismatic leadership, based on experience, was to be exercised within a decision-making framework that functioned according to group consensus. ‘We all know the bosses call the shots, and the heavies throw their weight around,’ said Jesus. ‘But that is not the way we are going to operate. Whoever wants to be the leader of a group, should be the servant of the group’ (Matt. 20:25–26). All exploitative forms of economics were renounced. Generosity was to be exercised, and wealth freely shared by the rich with the poor, in an earnest quest for genuine equality. ‘Be on your guard against all kinds of greed,’ Jesus said (Luke 12:15); ‘Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you’ (Matt. 5:42); ‘lend, expecting nothing in return’ (Luke 6:35).

Dave Andrews p126 The Jihad Of Jesus http://bit.ly/1CedNDX

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