The ‘Man from Nazareth’ was a fully human person, not a remote, divine Son of God. He referred to himself as “Son of Man,” meaning “I as one of humanity” or “I, as one of you.” He was a humble person. He washed the feet of his disciples, he was very human and joined parties, drank wine, laughed and joked with the “sinners” of society like tax collectors and sex workers. He shrugged off criticism and ignored the scandal that his behaviour caused. He did not care about getting a bad reputation for letting sex workers wash his feet. He was his own man. He did not seek the approval of anyone for his life, it was his and he lived it to the full.
Jesus of Nazareth was such a strong personality; he gave no heed to what others thought or said about him. He could mix and talk with anyone in society, to the senior Jewish leaders or to the poor, and he respected them equally. He was filled with concern and compassion for the outcasts, the sick, the disabled and the down-trodden. He challenged the rich and the powerful to share their wealth. His mission was to create a very different community where equality, truth, freedom, justice and love of neighbor would be the highest values among others. The ruling elite rejected him and his plan to save humankind from tyrants and from evil. They only had to say yes to him and love their neighbour, but they said no.
He was totally self-confident. He had a deep empathy for his fellow humans. He was a person of extraordinary courage who had powerful charisma. He feared no one, and no one could out-smart him in a discussion.
As a friend of the so-called “sinners” and the outcasts, he had a sense of humour, too. He jokingly brushed off the criticism, telling followers: “When John (The Baptist) came, he fasted, drank no wine and his critics said, “He has a demon in him.” “When the Son of Man came, he ate and drank, and they said, “Look at this man, he is a glutton, a wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors, and sinners, but God’s wisdom is shown to be true by its results.” (Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:34)
Jesus liked to challenge and even shock the self-righteous Pharisees that followed him around, trying to catch him in some fault and accuse him. They were very jealous of his popularity and were angry that he had little respect for their oppressive religious rites and rituals. His solidarity with the poor irritated the Pharisees. When Jesus had a meeting of many people, some Pharisees were there, watching and listening. A man, paralyzed by guilt complex, was brought to Jesus. He said to the man before everyone, “Your sins are forgiven, get up and go home.” The man was cured. (Mark 2:1-22).
The Pharisees were shocked and outraged and accused him of blasphemy, a criminal offense, saying only God can forgive sins. It seemed that Jesus was challenging them, teasing them, drawing them out. He was teaching that everyone should forgive others, especially their enemies. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44)
In those days and even today, to hate, fight and take revenge on your enemies was a duty. We note that the war in Gaza today is fuelled by hatred and revenge. Here was a man teaching the opposite. (Matthew 18:21-22) Even Peter could not accept that teaching. “Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often can my brother sin against me, and I will forgive him. As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” At another time, Jesus said, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)
The Man from Nazareth was bringing a radical new challenge to all people, preaching love of neighbour, forgiveness and peace-making. Jesus was a man of incredible intelligence, some would say, a prodigy. He was frustrated living in an ultra-conservative, Jewish society dominated by puritanical religion and occupied by a foreign power. It was a society that refused to embrace goodness and love and be compassionate.
One day his critics were trying to trap him and brand him as a rebel against Rome. They came to Jesus and asked him, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Since the Romans were hated, if Jesus said “yes, it is lawful,” he would alienate many followers. If he said “No,” he would be charged and condemned for sedition by the Romans.
He asked to see a coin and he asked them, “Whose head is on this coin?” “Caesars,” they answered. “Then give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” (Matthew 22:17). This shows the kind of man Jesus was: smart, wise and capable of outwitting his critics that were trying to bring him down. It was a very stressful situation for him and his followers.
Today we see the same tactics playing out as oppressive Philippine authorities try to trap human rights workers and peace activists with trumped up charges as they “red-tag” and brand them rebels, like the critics of Jesus tried to do to him. Human nature has remained much the same.
The true faith of the People of God is an unwavering belief that in taking action to help the victims of exploitation, abuse, poverty and oppression, they will win in the end. Like Jesus, we must never compromise with wrong-doing because goodness and truth will overcome evil. If anyone wants to know and see God, he just has to look at the life, words and deeds of Jesus of Nazareth.
