The “Man from Nazareth” was a fully mortal 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 joined parties, drank wine, and laughed and joked with people considered great sinners, like tax collectors and sex workers. He shrugged off criticism and ignored the scandal his behavior had caused. He did not care about getting a bad reputation for letting reputed sex workers wash his feet. He was his own man. He did not seek the approval of anyone in his life. It was his, and he lived it to the fullest.
Jesus of Nazareth’s personality was so strong and secure that he gave no heed to what others thought or said about him. He could mingle and talk with anyone in society. Whether senior Jewish leaders or the poor, he respected them equally. He was filled with concern and compassion for the outcasts, the sick, the disabled and the downtrodden. He challenged the rich and the powerful to share their wealth. His mission was to create a community where equality, truth, freedom, justice and love of neighbor would be the highest values. 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 neighbor, but they said no.
He was totally self-confident. He had deep empathy for his fellow human beings. He was a person of extraordinary courage whose charisma was powerful. He feared no one, and no one could outsmart him in a discussion.
As a friend of sinners and outcasts, he had a sense of humor, too. He jokingly brushed off the criticism directed at him, telling followers: “When John [the Baptist] came, he fasted [and] 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 who followed his every move, trying to catch him committing some fault and accusing him. They were very jealous of his popularity and angry that he had little respect for their oppressive religious rituals. His solidarity with the poor irritated the Pharisees. When Jesus had a meeting with many people, some Pharisees were there, watching and listening. A paralyzed man was brought to Jesus. In front of everyone, he told the man: “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, saying only God can forgive sins. It seemed that Jesus was challenging, teasing, and 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 fueled 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 neighbor, forgiveness and peacemaking. Jesus was a man of incredible intelligence. Some would even describe him as a genius. He was frustrated living in an ultra-conservative society dominated by strict religious leaders and occupied by a foreign power. It was a society that refused to embrace goodness, love and compassion.
One day, his critics tried to trap and brand him a rebel against Rome. They came to Jesus and asked: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Since the Romans were hated and 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 then asked them: “Whose head is on this coin?” “Caesar’s,” 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 who 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 as rebels, like what Jesus’ critics tried to do. Human nature has remained 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 wrongdoing 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.
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This column was first published in The Sunday Times (www.manilatimes.net) on December 15, 2024. Print, digital, and online republication of this column without the written consent of the author and of The Manila Times is strictly forbidden.
