If we let him go on
What is the logic here? A man has demonstrated power over death itself and here a council meets to discuss how that affects their relationship with Rome. What does Rome represent? Power. They are more afraid of Roman power than of Jesus power.
If we let Jesus go on like this it will change our relationship with Rome and with our people. They’re right. Jesus is a disrupter of relationships. If he keeps going he is going to redefine political power, religious power, and personal power. He will actually Empower individuals so much they will no longer be subject to other power structures. The gospel will level the Roman Empire and the religious superstructure. It will also level all personal relationships between human beings; no more color or class power differentials.
People constantly see part of what Jesus means and miss the rest. Is it laziness or fear that keeps them from following through with these thoughts? It doesn’t seem to occur to these religious leaders that having one of their own demonstrate power over death itself could be an advantage against political oppression and military intervention. What if it is true that Jesus just proved he could raise the dead? What kind of army would you field if death wasn’t a problem for your side?
“Taking away our place and our nation”
Jesus offers a place and a people that Rome cannot take away but that is hard to see from the top of the cultural-religious pyramid these people stand on. They are on top of both the people and the religion, where could a change lead but down? And Jesus’s message is insane to them. Lose your life to find it. Give up your power to become empowered. No wonder it’s easier for the outcasts to hear Jesus. They have nothing to lose by letting him go on like this.
If everyone believes in Jesus why does it follow that Rome will take action? Will the people become unmanageable because of Jesus? Did Jesus suggest rebellion against Rome? The Sanhedrin here reveals their own hearts. What they are saying is only what they would do if they could do what Jesus did. If they got this kind of power, they would extend it and assert it over Rome. This is on their minds as the primary problem with “the people” and their personal “place.” Gentiles. Outsiders. Give them more power and they’ll get rid of the people who don’t belong. Religion aims to exclude. Jesus plans to use his power to include everyone, to make all people his people and to make every place his place.
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