Thoughts on the Holy Week, political implications

Matthew 22.15-33 is the portion of the Scripture suggested by NT Wright for Tuesday of the Holy Week in his book "The Scriptures, the Cross & the Power of God, Reflections for Holy Week".

This passage is revolutionary itself. The question on the tribute to Caesar and the Resurrection explain both the cleansing of the Temple and the meaning of the Passion. Jesus' answer concerning the taxes makes reference to a "anti-tax" movement, lead by a certain Judas some 20 y before, and that already claimed the Kingdom of God as their motto. Helas, Judas and his followers were crucified and the movement banished. However, in the hearts of people, the ideas of the Kingdom and about resurrection were growing echoing the prophets (like Daniel). Resurrection meant, and still means, not only a small place of heaven assured after death, but it implies God putting things in order and restoring from now on. That's the Day of the Lord, or the last days, that we are living since the Resurrection of Jesus! Resurrection as explained by Jesus implies transformation into a new mode of bodily life.

Of course, Jesus' answer on what is owed to the Caesar should be seen in that perspective. He was the Messiah, the true King, bringing a different kingdom, not born in the depth of the seas, but in God's heart. And of course, His kingdom had to struggle against Caesar's! The coin's legend in the side with Caesar's face was "Tiberius Caesar, Son of God, Son of the Divine Augustus" while in the other together with an image of goddess Pax (peace) was the legend "Pontifix Maximus". That was the offering of the worldly kingdom, wealth and "peace" as long as one did not disagree with it or question it ... similarities with the picture above? The powers that are not divine, are however ordained by God, and must hence be respected and held to account by God's people!

Jesus calls the powers of the age to account, but not with a military revolution, but by redefining power (political and religious), as a serving power! Through His sacrifice He brings the true peace to his followers and generations to come.

I just want to quote Bishop Wright's conclusion:

Put the Caesar-question and Sadducee-question back together, and what do we find? We find Jesus, on the way to the cross, drawing together upon himself the great evils of the world, the imperial systems with their financial demands, and the great hopes of the world, hopes for God to release the slaves, to raise the dead, to set the world to rights. The Scriptures give us the grounding for this hope; the power of God assures us that it will come. That message provides both the deeply personal meaning of Holy Week and the deeply political meaning for today in a world that still groans under the slavery of the empire's financial demands.

Hopefully, more will come!

Be blessed,

Armando