Would Jesus be politically correct?

I would say this question is a little crazy but I feel that it is a question you could write a book on.  When I see how people are taught or managed within a large group it seems that politics always becomes part of the situation.  Do you think the key is to keep transparent or “real” even if it is going to cause some “issues”?  Do you think if you manage with love and selflessness it always seems to work?

Then they all took Jesus to Pilate and began to bring up charges against him. They said, “We found this man undermining our law and order, forbidding taxes to be paid to Caesar, setting himself up as Messiah-King.”  Pilate asked him, “Is this true that you’re ‘King of the Jews’?”  “Those are your words, not mine,” Jesus replied.  Pilate told the high priests and the accompanying crowd, “I find nothing wrong here. He seems harmless enough to me.”  But they were vehement. “He’s stirring up unrest among the people with his teaching, disturbing the peace everywhere, starting in Galilee and now all through Judea. He’s a dangerous man, endangering the peace.”  When Pilate heard that, he asked, “So, he’s a Galilean?” Realizing that he properly came under Herod’s jurisdiction, he passed the buck to Herod, who just happened to be in Jerusalem for a few days.  Herod was delighted when Jesus showed up. He had wanted for a long time to see him, he’d heard so much about him. He hoped to see him do something spectacular. He peppered him with questions. Jesus didn’t answer—not one word. But the high priests and religion scholars were right there, saying their piece, strident and shrill in their accusations.  Mightily offended, Herod turned on Jesus. His soldiers joined in, taunting and jeering. Then they dressed him up in an elaborate king costume and sent him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became thick as thieves. Always before they had kept their distance.  Then Pilate called in the high priests, rulers, and the others and said, “You brought this man to me as a disturber of the peace. I examined him in front of all of you and found there was nothing to your charge. And neither did Herod, for he has sent him back here with a clean bill of health. It’s clear that he’s done nothing wrong, let alone anything deserving death. I’m going to warn him to watch his step and let him go.”  At that, the crowd went wild: “Kill him! Give us Barabbas!” (Barabbas had been thrown in prison for starting a riot in the city and for murder.) Pilate still wanted to let Jesus go, and so spoke out again.  But they kept shouting back, “Crucify! Crucify him!”  He tried a third time. “But for what crime? I’ve found nothing in him deserving death. I’m going to warn him to watch his step and let him go.”  But they kept at it, a shouting mob, demanding that he be crucified. And finally they shouted him down. Pilate caved in and gave them what they wanted. He released the man thrown in prison for rioting and murder, and gave them Jesus to do whatever they wanted.  Luke 23:1-25 (MSG)

This story is where Jesus could have been politically correct by telling everyone He would not cause any problems and would make sure He kept to himself going forward.  Instead he didn’t say anything!

The key is that Jesus could see beyond Himself in His time and our time.  He knew that what was taking place was God’s will and that it would save us all.  Based on this, it was time to keep silent and live the life that He was made for.  We cannot see like Jesus did but we can try to model our life in His pattern!

Do you try to always be connected and politically correct so that you can try to keep everything running smoothly?  Are you not being politically correct and causing trouble because you want it your way?  Do you pray to see God’s will and live it out to His purpose and not yours?

image: Timothy Krause