Differing views

The Bible tells us that Jesus had 12 disciples. If you know the stories, I'm sure you've heard about Peter, James and John. You've probably heard of Judas Iscariot. You may have heard of Andrew or "doubting" Thomas. But the other half, most people don't know much about. I'd like to talk about two of those: Simon and Matthew.

Photo in public domain

Simon was a Zealot. The Zealots were a group of Jews that wanted freedom from the Roman government. They were known to be among those starting revolts and today would be considered terrorists. One faction of the group, the Sicarii, even went as far as to murder fellow Jews who collaborated with the Roman authorities.

Matthew was a tax collector. He worked for the Roman government, collecting money from the Jews to pay the soldiers who were occupying their land. It is very possible that Matthew became very rich, taking extra tax money from his fellow Jews.

You couldn't find two people in the Bible with more opposite views in the politics of the day.  Yet something happened which brought them together.

Some traditions hold that it was at Simon's wedding that Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine.  Of course, he would wonder, "Who is this man who could do such a thing?  What can I learn from him?"

Jesus called Matthew while Matthew was at work, sitting at his table.  Capernaum was a small town, population of about 1500.  Everyone knew everyone.  Matthew would know about Jesus and had heard the stories of his miracles.  So when Jesus came to him and said, "Follow me", He got up and left his job behind to follow.

Jesus brought these two men together.  Working together in peace.  To spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

Today's Church is riddled with factions, each one declaring they are the correct one and the others are wrong.  There are some groups of people who have been excluded from the Church simply because their political beliefs are not in line with the mainstream Christian thought.  Many different Christian denominations refuse to fellowship with those of other denominations, simply because of these differences.

Do you remember these?

Photo by CrazyLegsKC

What Would Jesus Do?

It didn't matter to Jesus what political views his disciples held.  He just asked them to follow.  He brought them together, government official and terrorist, in order to spread the news that Jesus is alive.  Their beliefs had no bearing in that fact.

The Church is called for one thing: to spread that news.  Over the past 2000 years, we have lost that call and have gone our own way, going on witch-hunt after witch-hunt.  Over the years, the Church has demonized many different groups.  Instead of being a place for all to come to God, the Church has become an exclusive club for those who think the same way.  I don't think Jesus is pleased by this.

We need to open our doors, open our arms and invite everyone in.  Don't tell them their lifestyle is wrong.  Tell them Jesus loves them.  Don't say their beliefs are too far to the left (or right) for them to be Christians.  Tell them Jesus loves them.

Jesus called together people from both sides of the political spectrum and started a phenomenon that changed the world.  We can continue that, if we simply follow Christ.