The Cross or the Sword: Reclaiming the Radical Way of Jesus in a Hostile World

In a world that often feels consumed by hostility, division, and violence, we find ourselves at a crossroads. As followers of Christ, how are we called to respond? What does it mean to truly embody the teachings of Jesus in the face of conflict and adversity?

The Garden of Gethsemane provides a powerful backdrop for exploring these questions. Picture the scene: Jesus is about to be arrested, and his disciple Peter, in a moment of misguided loyalty, draws his sword and strikes the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear. Jesus' response is both surprising and profound: "Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword" (Matthew 26:52).

This moment encapsulates a fundamental choice we all face: Will we reach for the sword, or will we embrace the way of the cross?

Throughout history, Christians have grappled with this decision. In the early centuries of the faith, believers were known for their commitment to nonviolence and peacemaking. They refused military service, rejected bloodshed, and chose to love their enemies – even in the face of persecution. Their allegiance was to the Kingdom of God above all else, and they sought to imitate Christ's sacrificial love in all aspects of their lives.

However, a seismic shift occurred in the 4th century with the rise of Emperor Constantine. As Christianity became legalized and gained political power, the image of Jesus began to change. No longer was He primarily seen as the suffering servant, but as a conquering king. The cross, once a symbol of sacrificial love, began to be wielded more like a weapon.

This "Constantinian shift" has had far-reaching consequences, many of which we still grapple with today. It's all too easy for Christians to become more focused on preserving power, being "right," or aligning with political ideologies than on embodying the radical love and self-sacrifice of Jesus.

But what if we were to reclaim the original vision of what it means to follow Christ? What if we truly took seriously His call to "take up your cross and follow me" (Luke 9:23)?

This invitation isn't about believing in Jesus – it's about believing Jesus. It's about trusting that His way of peace, love, and nonviolent resistance is truly the path to transformation, even when it seems counterintuitive to our human instincts.

Embracing this way means:

1. Putting down hatred and picking up love – even for those we might consider enemies.
2. Exchanging rage for righteousness.
3. Replacing a culture of cancellation with grace and compassion.
4. Choosing peace over violence.
5. Cultivating humility instead of ego.

This path is undoubtedly challenging. It goes against the grain of our natural inclinations and the ways of the world. But as followers of Jesus, we're called to be "a colony of heaven in a hostile world" – to demonstrate a radically different way of living that reflects the heart of God.

The early Christians understood this. Their proclamation that "Jesus is Lord" was more than a statement of belief – it was a declaration of allegiance. In a world where "Caesar is Lord" was the expected mantra, claiming Jesus as the ultimate authority was revolutionary and often dangerous. Yet these early believers were willing to face persecution and even death because they truly believed that Jesus' way was better than the way of empire and violence.

Today, we face our own "Caesar or Jesus" moments. When we're confronted with injustice, when we're tempted to lash out in anger, when we're called to love those who have hurt us – these are the times we must choose whether we will reach for the sword or embrace the cross.

Reverend Robert Rimbo, reflecting on his response to the 9/11 attacks, offers a powerful perspective:

"The only way to conquer evil is to absorb it. Take it into yourself and disarm it. Neutralize its acid. Serve as a face mask for its smog. Put a straitjacket on it and turn it over to God. There is nothing sentimental or the least bit easy about this. There's not even a guarantee that it will work. But one thing is for sure. When we repay evil for evil, evil is all there is in bigger and more toxic piles. This is the essence of what it means to follow the way of Jesus. It's not about warm feelings between like-minded friends, but about imitating Christ who "took all the meanness of the world and ran it through the filter of his own body, repaying evil with good, blame with pardon, death with life."

The question before us is clear: Are we willing to give this radical way a try? Are we ready to step out of the parade of the world and enter into the rhythm of the Kingdom, even in a hostile environment? Can we commit to putting down the sword and picking up the cross, not just because we believe in Jesus, but because we truly believe Jesus and trust that His way is better – even when it's harder, even when it costs us, even when we don't see immediate results?

The world is longing for a different way. It's crying out for healing, for reconciliation, for a love that transcends our deepest divisions. As followers of Christ, we have the opportunity – and the calling – to demonstrate this transformative way of living.

Imagine what could happen if a movement arose within the church that truly embraced this path. What if we became known, once again, as people of radical love, sacrificial service, and unwavering commitment to peace? It changed the world once. Perhaps it's time for us to give it a try and see how it might change the world again.

The choice is before us: the sword or the cross. Which will we choose?