This Isn’t the Sentimental Christmas Story You’ve Heard...

Summary

This thought-provoking video explores the concept of Jesus as a warrior, contrasting His humble, non-violent approach with the power of earthly rulers like Caesar Augustus. From His birth in Bethlehem to His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, Jesus challenges the world’s understanding of power, using love and forgiveness as His weapons. His resurrection serves as proof that divine love triumphs over death, subverting the violence and injustice of the world. Early Christians, in proclaiming Jesus as Lord, overturned Roman imperial power, showing that love and self-sacrifice are the true forms of victory.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jesus is portrayed as a warrior, fighting not with conventional weapons but with love, self-sacrifice, and forgiveness.
• 😀 The nativity story emphasizes the contrast between the worldly power of Caesar Augustus and the vulnerability of the baby Jesus, marking the start of his spiritual battle.
• 😀 The angels who appear in the nativity story are described as an 'army,' symbolizing that Jesus' power is greater than the might of Rome.
• 😀 Jesus' birth in a humble stable and his vulnerability highlight a powerful paradox: the true Emperor is one who chooses weakness to bring salvation.
• 😀 The cross, which was a symbol of Roman power and violence, becomes a symbol of victory and divine power through Jesus' sacrifice.
• 😀 Jesus' final battle occurs on the cross, where he absorbs hatred, violence, and sin, responding not with revenge but with forgiveness and love.
• 😀 The resurrection of Jesus serves as the undeniable proof of his divine mission and victory over sin, death, and evil.
• 😀 Early Christians proclaimed the resurrection, challenging the idea that Jesus was a failed revolutionary, and instead declaring him the true Messiah.
• 😀 Jesus' victory over the powers of the world is not through force, but through the transformative power of love and forgiveness.
• 😀 The message of Jesus as Lord directly opposed the Roman Empire's claim of ultimate authority, with the phrase 'Jesus is Lord' subverting imperial power.
• 😀 The story of Jesus and his resurrection reveals that love and non-violence are ultimately more powerful than hatred, violence, and military might.

Q & A

What does the Christmas story reveal about Jesus as a warrior?

The Christmas story portrays Jesus not as a conventional ruler, but as a warrior who enters the world through humility and vulnerability. Despite his infancy and weakness, symbolized by his birth in a manger, Jesus represents a subversive challenge to worldly powers, such as Caesar Augustus, and signals a new type of 'battle' against evil, violence, and sin.

How does Luke’s Nativity account introduce the concept of two emperors?

Luke’s account begins by referencing two prominent figures—Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, and Quirinius, the governor of Syria. However, the story quickly shifts focus to Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, emphasizing that the true emperor, Jesus, is not defined by worldly power but by humility and the divine mission to conquer evil.

Why is the birth of Jesus portrayed as a battle against the powers of the world?

Jesus' birth is depicted as a battle against worldly powers because he arrives in stark contrast to the might of the Roman Empire. While emperors like Caesar Augustus are surrounded by wealth, luxury, and protection, Jesus comes into the world in a vulnerable state, challenging the values of worldly strength and demonstrating a new kind of power based on love and self-sacrifice.

What is the significance of the army of angels in the Nativity story?

The appearance of an 'army' of angels at Jesus’ birth highlights the divine nature of his mission. This celestial army contrasts with the military power of Caesar Augustus, implying that Jesus’ kingdom and authority are not grounded in violence or coercion, but in justice, courage, and non-violence, which will ultimately triumph over earthly powers.

How does Jesus’ final battle on the cross differ from typical notions of warfare?

Jesus’ battle on the cross is not a physical conflict but a spiritual and redemptive struggle. Rather than using violence to defeat his enemies, Jesus responds to hatred, betrayal, and cruelty with forgiveness, allowing the forces of darkness to 'wash over him' in an act of self-sacrifice, thereby interrupting the cycle of violence and offering salvation to the world.

Why does the resurrection of Jesus prevent the view of him as a failed revolutionary?

The resurrection of Jesus defies the expectation that a crucified leader could be considered a failure. As NT Wright points out, the resurrection is historically crucial in explaining the rise of Christianity, as it validates Jesus' messianic mission and demonstrates that, despite his death, he is the victorious and living Messiah, unlike other leaders who died and were forgotten.

How does the apostle Paul’s proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection challenge Roman imperial power?

Paul’s proclamation that 'Jesus is Lord' directly challenges the Roman Emperor’s claim of ultimate authority, as Roman propaganda often asserted that Caesar was the true lord. By declaring Jesus as the Lord of all, Paul subverts the Roman power structure, affirming that Jesus, crucified and resurrected, holds dominion over all powers, including Rome itself.

What does the irony of the Arch of Titus reveal about the early Christian message?

The Arch of Titus, which commemorates the destruction of Jerusalem and the Roman conquest, inadvertently underscores the irony of early Christian belief. As the Romans celebrated their military victories, early Christians, particularly Paul, proclaimed that the true victory had been won not through military conquest, but through Jesus' resurrection, which signified God's victory over death and sin.

Why is the cross considered a weapon of victory rather than defeat in Christian theology?

In Christian theology, the cross is not seen as a symbol of defeat, but as a weapon of victory because it represents God’s triumph over sin, death, and the powers of darkness. While the cross was a brutal instrument of Roman punishment, Christians view it as the ultimate symbol of divine love, forgiveness, and redemption, which ultimately overcame all forces of evil.

How did the early Christians view the task of spreading the message of Jesus after his resurrection?

The early Christians saw their mission as announcing the reign of Jesus as the new King of the nations. This task involved challenging the imperial power of Rome and spreading the message that Jesus, through his resurrection, was the true Lord. As exemplified by the Apostle Paul, this meant going to the heart of the empire—Rome itself—and proclaiming the subversive message of Jesus’ victory over sin and death.