I am interpreting Jesus’ actions within the much larger trajectory of prophetic teachings of the Bible. Prophets from Moses, Samuel, and Nathan, to the Major and Minor prophets of the Hebrew Bible all had major political messages for their time. “Let me people go,” is a political demand, not just a spiritual necessity.

I completely agree that Jesus’ primary goal was not to be a political leader. Yet he and John the Baptist were killed for their critiques of cruel and oppressive leadership. “Render unto God what is God’s and unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” is not just a witty retort to a loaded question. In Jewish and Christian traditions EVERYTHING belongs to God, NOTHING belongs to Caesar.

The sign over Jesus’ head on the cross read “King of the Jews.” They were mocking him, but also speaking truth. Declaring a kingdom of God or a kingdom of heaven is a political act. Early Christians were martyred specifically because they refused to participate in Emperor worship and other local festivals. Their defiance was seen as a “national security threat” to the Roman Empire.

I completely agree that Jesus did not have a “secular political program.” But by uniting disciples across the spectrum of political beliefs he was pointing the way to an inclusive counter-cultural community. The formation of the church was an implicit rebuke to every imperialistic group ever to turn its safety and security into an idol.

The claim that Jesus is Lord is both spiritual and political. The commands to love our neighbors, welcome refugees, and care for widows and orphans have political implications. Otherwise we have taken the step of dividing the secular from the spiritual. I don’t see Jesus doing that.

Peace.