Jesus Was (and Is) an Agitator

It was one of those moments when I thought of the perfect thing to say a few hours after I should have said it. The topic was former NFL player Colin Kaepernick and I was shocked when someone said – with a disgusted sneer – “he’s an agitator.” The comment hit me like a brick. But it wasn’t until later that night when I realized that I should have immediately replied: “So was Jesus.”

Yes, Jesus chucked little children under his chin. Yes, he healed people considered both worthy and unworthy of attention. But he wasn’t crucified for those things. He was executed – lynched, if you will – because he was an Agitator. He was The Agitator, the One who was (and is) the Living Word of God. And sometimes the Living Word makes us uncomfortable.

Jesus stirred up public feeling on controversial issues. Examples can be found in all four Gospels of the New Testament.

Outside the ICE detention center in Chicago this past week, several of my clergy colleagues were interviewed by national news outlets. In Vatican City Pope Leo told leaders from El Paso to encourage the Church to speak “forcefully and in unity” about the treatment of immigrants – many of whom are in the United States legally. Our Jewish siblings – even those with loved ones still imprisoned by Hamas – have been calling for Israeli leaders to have mercy on innocent victims in Gaza to the chagrin of other Jewish leaders. Agitators stir up “public feelings on controversial issues” to the glory of God.

Especially for followers of Jesus, called to imitate his ministry, we are expected to stand up in the face of injustice, even if it means challenging our government. We are called to disturb the peace on behalf of the Prince of Peace and for the sake of the weak. Yesterday’s Biblical lepers and tax collectors and unreputable women are today’s undocumented immigrants and trans people, and homeless neighbors. What good is our faith if we are not committed to stand up for the people Jesus died for?

What are we willing to do this week to support vulnerable people – not because we are “good deed doers” and not to “get into heaven” – but in order to show our gratitude to God?

Image of Merriam-Webster’s definition of “agitator.”