Jeanette Strong: Following the Prince of Peace

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6, KJV

We’ve just finished celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. We don’t know just when Jesus was born, but it was probably in the spring, when shepherds were watching their flocks during lambing time. The exact date isn’t really important; what’s important is the message Jesus brought, the message he preached throughout the Gospels.

There are no religious tests for American citizenship, so being a Christian is not a requirement. But if someone claims to support Christian values, they should understand what Christian values actually are. They should not support a person or cause that is the opposite of what Jesus taught.

All four Gospels record Jesus’ teachings, but Matthew has the most well-known summary. In the Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5, 6, 7 - Jesus explains how his followers should live. Much of what he says seems upside down, contrary to the way many think we should lead our lives.

In Matthew 5:39, he tells us not to fight back; if someone slaps us on one cheek, we are to turn the other cheek. He expands on this in 5:43-44, where he tells us to love our enemies. Revenge and retribution have no part in Jesus’ teachings.

In Matthew 6, he tells us not to store up treasures on earth. He warns us not to be hypocrites, who parade their “righteousness” in front of others so they can receive praise while oppressing those who need help.

In Matthew 7, Jesus warns about false prophets. We’ll know them by their “fruits” - in other words, their actions - which will show their real motivations. There is no room in his teachings for greed, revenge, violence or any other actions which don’t express God’s love.

Jesus’ teachings focused on compassion, mercy, forgiveness, grace, love and humility. He welcomed people from all ethnicities and social, economic and educational levels. These included prostitutes, tax collectors, Gentiles, Samaritans, and others who were considered outcasts by the leaders of his day. He excluded no one based on lifestyle or identity. He treated everyone with love and respect and made them feel welcome and valued.

However, he did speak against liars, adulterers, gossips, braggarts, those who are greedy or dishonest, those who let anger and bitterness consume them, and those who are unmerciful and unforgiving.

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus made it clear how he wants his followers to behave. They are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger and care for the sick. Elsewhere he talks about helping the poor and being good stewards of what we have.

Two things Jesus never spoke about were abortion and the LGBT community. These were issues in Jesus’ day, just as they are today, but he never taught about them or condemned them. Too many evangelicals are putting all their energies into trying to outlaw actions Jesus never even mentioned, instead of promoting what Jesus actually taught.

If we put the Gospels up against how Republicans in Congress vote, are they following what Jesus preached? If we look at what former President Donald Trump says, do his words match Jesus’ standards? I can’t see inside anyone’s heart, but I can see their actions. In today's conservatives, I see very little of how Jesus wanted us to live and treat others.

Ignorance of Jesus’ teachings is so widespread that in some churches, when the minister preaches about the Sermon on the Mount, conservative members have asked where they got those “liberal” talking points. When the minister explains they were preaching from Jesus’ own words, the members complain that Jesus’ teachings are weak and don’t work now.

“Suddenly, Christianity isn’t about Jesus - which many evangelicals now believe is a “weak” figurehead and “doesn’t work anymore.” It’s about Trump, guns, destroying the environment, and hurting the people you hate. Christianity simply isn’t equated with love anymore. And despite Jesus preaching against the evils of excess wealth in every book of the New Testament, preachers who like the high life created the fake so-called “prosperity gospel” to worship wealth.” (Daily Kos, Nov. 28)

Christmas is about honoring the Prince of Peace. Those who claim to be followers of Jesus should strive to do what he taught us. That is my Christmas wish!

Jeanette Strong, whose column appears every other week, is a Nevada Press Foundation award-winning columnist. She may be reached at news@lahontanvalleynews.com.