In the days of Jesus, the Roman empire had created a world of social, political and economic injustice. This injustice was demonstrated largely in two ways. First, there was the "haves" and the "have nots". I have heard some scholars estimate that well over 80% of the empire's wealth was owned and controlled by less than 10% of the population. There was the ruling elite (both political and religious) that held the rest of the empire in economic bondage. Most estimates will suggest that a God-fearing Jew in the first century would have been taxed somewhere between 70-85% of their income. This disparaging gap can be seen by simply studying the living structures of first-century Jerusalem; less than 10% of the population occupied over 40% of the real estate, while the other 90% was crammed into the remaining space not taken up by the many palaces owned by the "haves".
Secondly, there was violent, military oppression that made an example of anyone who did not bend the knee to Rome's empirical domination. Rome would travel through the countryside with a method that they referred to as "slash and burn" every two generations making sure that anyone who attempted resistance would be incapacitated for almost a century, if they survived at all. This kingdom was touted by Rome to be the "eternal kingdom of peace" and its leader than to be the Prince of Peace. Now, even though few were fooled into thinking that this method or rule was actually peaceful, the empire had ushered in 85 years of uninterrupted economic prosperity.
The response of the first-century people, particularly those who worshipped God, was varied. One response was the Sadducees, the religious priesthood who didn't really respond at all, except to leverage their place in the empirical system to their advantage and make big bucks - corruption at its worst. Another response was that of the Pharisees; to essentially accept the empire for what it was and harp on people to just be more obedient, everything will work itself out in the end. Another response was that of the Zealots, who mounted numerous and consistent violent revolts against the system of injustice, unashamedly pursuing their belief in 'redemptive violence'. The Essenes decided that they would escape the injustice altogether, run off into the corner of the desert and live life as they knew it should be; of course, this approach at its worse could potentially ignore the injustice and the oppressed entirely. Finally, another group, the Herodians, realized that if they simply compromised their belief and worship of a just God who seeks the restoration of an unjust world, they could say one thing and do another; they could voice their worship of God with their lips, but in all practical arenas give in to the injustice of empire and life would be quite comfortable.
As the daily discussion rages on about the Occupy Wall Street movement, I cannot help but notice the almost endless similarities. That being said, there are also some distinct differences. One significant difference between first-century Rome and twenty-first century America is that there certainly is not the violent military oppression of those who denounce the empire's denomination. However, I have struggled with the thought that Pax Americana may just simply be a more subtle violence. Cloaked in the language of democracy and free enterprise, I have wondered if this "less violent" empire is any more just. To quote John Crossan, in a book I was reading a few days ago, "Maybe excessive debt is a far better way of owning or controlling individuals and nations than the old-fashioned forms of direct slavery and direct colonialism?"
The numbers would certainly support such a suggestion, as they have only increased in their testimony to injustice. If one thought the first-century Roman numbers were bad, they have increased ten-fold. Now, an estimated 1% of the world now owns and controls almost 90% of the world's wealth. But enough of the numbers, I would rather contemplate some of the practical similarities and what they might have to say to our current situation.
As the Occupy movement continues, I notice that we still have the same responses we did 2,000 years ago. We have our Zealots, some of them crazy, some of them not so crazy, who respond to the empire with active and/or passive violence; I have been glad that, barring a few isolated incidents, the Occupy movement has been a nonviolent one. We have our Pharisees, those who seem to be oblivious to the suffering in the world and keep insisting that the key to our success is obedience in the next piece of legislation. We certainly have our Sadducees who leverage the situation for their own corrupted gain.
It's the last two groups that bring me pause. We have our Essenes, who like to hole up in the corner and escape the chaos and oppression and seek Kingdom. I find myself in this category along with much of my emerging culture and generation, willing to say the right things, but really not wanting to engage the injustice in a meaningful way. I'd like to keep it at arms length, cold and distant. I really don't want to know the names of the protestors or hear their story. As a good friend put it, "I don't want to let them air their dirty laundry, because then I might just have to get dirty myself." That might be unfair to the Essenes, but that was at least their potential danger.
But then there are the Herodians who frustrate me a great deal. They've given themselves to the empire and aren't ashamed of it - it's working out quite well for them (selling yourself to the Empire usually does). They consistently say things like, "Grow up and get a job! Quit sitting around and whining about it." But that's just the point, the Occupy movement isn't about jobs. It's about injustice. It's a group of people who are trying to say that it's not OK for there to be such a gap between the 1 and the 99. It's just not right - it's not just. And they don't want to contribute to such an unjust empirical system. I'm concerned with how many Jesus followers are not only accepting of the system, but actively defensive of it. There may be many ways to fix it, but we should at least acknowledge that this isn't what God intended.
But then, I want to ask about Jesus. Where did Jesus fall? What did Jesus invite us into? And what did the early believers do that turned such a corrupt Roman empire on its head?
Did it look like Occupy Wall Street?
No it did not.
The early believers certainly didn't mount a violent revolt to overthrow an unjust regime. But, they also didn't set up camp in Caesarea and demonstrate or protest. No, the early believers actively, practically and directly subverted the values of the Empire. And when people saw a different kind of reality available for the taking, they took it. The early believers refused to worship a system built on idolatry and injustice. They started eating differently, shopping differently, living together differently. They refused to acknowledge the lies of the empire.
I've wondered if the early believers would have even had 401k's or health insurance, shopped at WalMart or listened to the media's many news outlets. From what I experienced during my studies in Turkey, I can confidently say I think they would have went without. I think they would have went out and invited the Occupy protestors to dinner to show them a better way of living. A way that didn't even acknowledge the presence of the Red, White and Blue - but instead exalted the cross, the slain Lamb, and an empty tomb.
We have a long way to go, family, before we can invite those seeking justice to our homes for that kind of dinner. But my prayer is that we might continually be unsatisfied with what the Empire has to offer. My prayer is that we would be inspired and reminded by those who choose to camp out in a park and insist that this isn't how the world is supposed to be. My prayer is that we would begin to cast down our idols of comfort, security, and luxury and trade them in for a potluck in the remote corners of Ephesus where we invite Essenes, Herodians, Pharisees, Zealots - and even Sadducees - to experience the revolutionary love of a God seeking to restore a creation where there is enough for all.
P.S. I will be the first to lump myself in the category of those who need to learn. I have my retirement investment and health insurance. I shop at WalMart and consume a lot more goods and media than I should. It has been difficult to figure out exactly how to pursue such a reality within the imperfect communities we have. My suggestion is not that such a life is easily attained, but I do find it helpful to have voices encouraging us to keep our eyes the greater Kingdom that we are citizens of. And I DO have hope that such a community can be realized. I sat in a house church in the ruins of Priene, a first century city in Turkey, and I witnessed what group of believers did to change the world. My fear is what it might take for God to drive us into the arms of faith, trust, and community...
