Breaking News: Political Enemies Follow Jesus

If newspapers were written in 1st-century Jerusalem, the political opposition of Matthew the tax collector and Simon the Zealot would have certainly made headlines. Jesus called Matthew from his tax-collecting table to follow Him. Matthew, of course, had sold out to the Romans and became rich at his fellow Jews’ expense. To his credit, Matthew left it all behind and then called all his fellow tax collectors to have dinner with Jesus so they could know Him too. (Luke 5:27-32). This little party most likely took place before Jesus called Simon to follow Him, but Simon would have been aware of Matthew’s former occupation.               

And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. Luke 6:13-16.

            Simon called Zelotes translates to Simon the Zealot. In that era, Zealots intended to overthrow the Roman government. They were willing to do whatever it took to do so, including robbery, murder, and mayhem. It is likely that Barabbas, the one freed instead of Jesus, was a zealot, as well.

And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. Mark 15:7

            Simon’s love for God and for his country shaped his life. He was willing to give his life for the cause, but then Jesus came and gave him a greater cause to serve. Political zeal could only change the temporary landscape, but spiritual zeal changed eternity. Simon now had a greater calling. Somehow, Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector saw the Gospel as a worthy reason to set aside their differences and follow Jesus.

            The Topical Lexicon writes of Simon’s zeal, “that passionate conviction is not inherently virtuous; it must be refined by the gospel. In redeeming a former revolutionary, Jesus models His power to transform fervor into faithful witness. The word therefore encourages the Church to cultivate zeal that is both fervent and faithful, advancing the kingdom with uncompromising truth and Christlike love.” (https://biblehub.com/greek/2208.htm).

            Jesus calls His followers away from political and divisive fervency to invest their lives in something far greater—His Kingdom. Despite past religious efforts to force people to follow Jesus, Christ’s example has never used power to coerce obedience. His example calls for humility, love in action, and the spiritual weapons of His Word and prayer to invite people to Him.

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:1-11

            James 3:6-12 warns that we cannot speak evil of others and then praise God. Evil and good cannot grow on the same tree or come from the same fountain. Like Matthew and Simon, Jesus calls His people to a higher calling—sharing the Gospel so that people’s eternities are changed. While we must speak up for injustice and oppression, it must not be at the expense of people’s souls. We will never look into the eyes of someone Jesus does not love. Whether they are waving a rainbow flag, wearing a Hijab, spewing hate for some political leader, arresting peaceful prayer warriors in front of an abortion clinic, wearing an ICE uniform, using their social media platform to intimidate and shame those they don’t agree with, or promoting tolerance while showing their own intolerance, Jesus shed every last drop of blood He had so that they could be reconciled to God. We are not called to a social gospel that rights the wrongs of the planet. We are called to break the chains of those bound to sin and call them to follow Jesus, too. It is time for those who follow Jesus to let the Gospel shape their zeal once again.