Jonathots Daily Blog
(2746)
The Middle East is a muddled beast.
It has baffled politicians, military strategists and rational thinkers for generations.
Following a Jesonian philosophy, which is an attempt to tap the heart of Jesus, I decided to find out if the Nazarene had any insight on the issue.
Turns out he does.
It was in the latter part of his ministry when Jesus visited Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem and took the opportunity to attack the religious leaders for their hypocrisy, excess, indifference and greed.
He spends quite a bit of time elaborating on the iniquity that filled the religious system of his day. But it is the closing of his speech which is most chilling. He finishes up his talk by saying that he had come to Jerusalem many times, trying to reason with them and get them to repent of their stubbornness and sense of superiority. But the continual rejection had caused him to decide that “their house was left to them desolate.”
Because they had killed the prophets, ignored wise men who had been sent their way, and shunned anyone who was practical enough to believe that spirituality could be best expressed through the love of human beings instead of the practice of ritual, he felt it was time for him to depart.
So the 24th Chapter of Matthew begins with a chilling proclamation: Jesus left the Temple.
He never went back again.
He never has.
All the dealings of the Christian faith are meant to be conducted in the streets and homes of human beings–at the point of need.
The ironic part is that the disciples try to draw him back to the Temple, to show him all the sights and wonders–a “Holy Land tour.”
He emphatically tells them that what they see before their eyes will be torn down, stone by stone. He even describes the process. He says that people will be so involved in their religion and their family life that they will not notice the signs of their times.
They will be “marrying and given in marriage,” oblivious to the dangers of conflict and generational revenge.
Jesus gave his disciples counsel. He said, “When you see there is conflict around Jerusalem and that there are armies gathering … head for the hills.”
Don’t stay and fight.
Don’t pick a side.
Don’t assume that God will protect those who are out to destroy each other.
Head for the hills.
We, as the United States, should take the wisdom of Jesus’ warning. There is no Armageddon unless all the armies of the world go to the desert and fight.
It is possible for us to support Israel and also welcome the Palestinians as long as the Palestinians accept the right of Israel to exist and Israel includes the Palestinians.
This is a family fight, and if we join it, both sides of the family will fight against us. So basically, we don’t please the Muslims and we don’t satisfy the Israelis.
Head for the hills.
It is possible to be an arbiter without putting on boxing gloves to join in the bout.
This should be our mission. We should watch the signs of the times, keep ourselves free from the conflict, and do our best to guide these lost brothers and sisters into understanding that the world is big enough for both of them, if their hearts can grow big enough for each other.
So I say to the Republicans and the Democrats: from a Jesonian perspective, you’re both wrong.
Jesus realized there is no negotiation with religion.
- Religion will kill to fulfill its principles.
- Religion will repeat instead of repent.
- Religion is constantly looking for a new Messiah.
- And religion invites war because it thinks peace is compromising doctrine.
But Jesus left the Temple.
We should do the same.
Stand back and let’s see if these warring factions will grow tired of burying their children, and begin to have a heart for making peace. And then, let us be the peace-makers instead of the fellow-warriors.
I believe it’s the only answer.
There is no Holy Land in the Middle East: people are dying, people are hurt, people are abused and people are marginalized.
It is the definition … of unholy.
The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly subscription donation of $10 for this wonderful, inspirational opportunity
Don’t let another Christmas go by without purchasing Jonathan’s bestselling Christmas book!
Mr. Kringle’s Tales … 26 Stories ‘Til Christmas
Click here to read all about Mr. Kringle’s Tales…26 Stories Til Christmas! Only $5.99 plus $1.25 shipping and handling.
“The best Christmas stories I’ve ever read!”
From the toy shop to the manger, an advent calendar of Christmas stories, beginning on November 30th and ending on Christmas morning.
We need a good Christmas this year.
Mr. Kringle’s Tales will help you make it so.
Buy today.
Jonathots Daily Blog 