When did the church forget Jesus died as a criminal condemned by the state and culture of his time? When did the church begin to dine with the rich and powerful instead of the outcastes we are called to serve?
Before the cross was adulterated into a theological monstrosity symbolizing an angry tantrum throwing God, it stood for the hope of the poor and oppressed over and against the power of empire. It is precisely this executed Jesus the church renounces when it justifies the mistreatment of cultural scapegoats by saying, “We are a nation of laws.” Precisely! So was Rome! So was Egypt!
Moses was not told at the burning bush to teach an other worldly message of salvation. Moses was told to confront the most powerful man on earth with a very political message, “Let my people go!”
Love’s call is not to obedience to our nation or religion but to liberation for our entire human family. The church must cease teaching a truth that does not set the people free. Our calling is not to turn people into Christian clones but to be their allies in becoming who they most truly are whether Christian or not. We do not truly love others unless we can love them AS other.
The lamb sitting on a throne, is not a symbol of a good bully dominating bad bullies. The lamb on a throne is a symbol of a non-hierarchical love that has grown so fierce that the privileged are brought low and the wretched are lifted up to receive every right the rich and powerful claim for themselves.