It is well-documented that the religious leaders did not like Jesus’ tactics or His message. He didn’t hold to the man-made rules of the Sabbath. He turned their understanding of the Law on its head. He didn’t just chill with the religious crowd, but He ate with “sinners and tax collectors.” For this Jesus was accused of being “a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:19).
John the Baptist, however, didn’t act like Jesus. He had the same message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2, 4:17), but different tactics. John’s base of operation was the wilderness. He wasn’t doing much eating and drinking with religious leaders or sinners and tax collectors, as his diet consisted of locusts and wild honey. Because of this, the religious leaders said of John, “He has a demon” (Matthew 11:18).
Jesus and John had the same message but different tactics. Because the religious leaders didn’t want to hear their message, they found a way to attack their methods. Jesus’ response was, “But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” Their actions would be justified by the fruit they would bear for God’s glory.
PHARISEES OF TODAY
When Colin Kaepernick first began his peaceful protest of the national anthem due to racial injustices, I somewhat agreed with his message but not his methods. I wondered if there were better, less provocative ways for him to address the problems that he felt plagued the nation. I knew people wouldn’t be able to hear the message because of a perceived disrespect for the military and this nation, even if he said that wasn’t the case.
As I’ve witnessed the responses of our President and fellow Christians to the NFL protests, along with their response to the Confederate flag and statues, I’m starting to see the wisdom behind his methods. When predominantly black NFL players are cursed out by the President for their peaceful protests of injustices, while white supremacists are given the benefit of the doubt when they violently protest the removal of Confederate statues, there may be a reason to kneel during the anthem. Maybe—just maybe—there is some merit to the method.
I expect this from the President. While I’m saddened by his behavior, I’m not shocked by it. Because as much as some people try to convince me that he is a Christian, there is little to no fruit that actually shows he is a follower of Christ. So, I’ll continue to pray for his salvation, as I’m commanded to do (see 1 Timothy 2:1-4).
I do, however, expect more from my supposed brothers and sisters in Christ. Some Christians who support the Confederate flag and statues are also offended by the NFL protests. So, you tell me that you’re upset at NFL players who kneel because they are disrespecting those who served and died for this country? Tell me—how many were killed in the Civil War? Are we not disrespecting them when we fly the Confederate flag and honor those who wanted no parts of the national anthem or the American flag? Even if I fall for the “states’ rights” argument for the Civil War (which I’m not!), is it justifiable to support those who fought a war for their 10th Amendment rights, while disdaining those who protest under their 1st Amendment rights for their God-given right to equal treatment?
You can kick and scream that your disdain for anthem protests is not about race all you want, but your hypocritical response actually justifies the protests. You can say that they should try a different method, but history has shown that we don’t respond to nice appeals for change. We like to hold up people like MLK as examples, but do we forget that they he was beaten, jailed, slandered, harassed, and eventually assassinated for his message? If we truly examine ourselves, we’ll realize that we have much in common with the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. It is not the method we hate; it is the message. We don’t like to be called out on our sin. We don’t want to think that our shiny idols (i.e. flag, nation) have any blemishes. If you still insist that methods are your true concern, are you crying out about the methods (i.e. public name-calling, Twitter rants) the President is using to disagree with the protests? Aren’t they clearly sinful, disrespectful, and provocative? Do you still want to tell me that it’s not about race?
MISSING THE MESSAGE FOR THE METHOD
Let’s say, for a moment, that you are indeed messed up about methods. You should still be able to bypass the method for the message. Let me give you an example. I have a rule in my house that I do not want my kids to scream my name from another room. I find it disrespectful. Most of the time, they are doing nothing important while I’m working, cooking, or cleaning. If they want or need me, they can easily use their two feet to find me.
Let’s say, however, that one of my kid’s feet were broken or they seriously hurt themselves, and she screamed my name from another room. I would be a horrible parent if I chastised her for being disrespectful instead of acknowledging the reason she was screaming out my name. If she has a justifiable reason for screaming, I need to disregard the method for the message.
Likewise, when we see NFL players kneeling during the anthem, we as Christians need to ask why they are doing it before we curse them for not standing. If they are feeling oppressed, we as agents for justice (see Micah 6:8) should hear them out. It doesn’t mean we must agree; it means we care enough to listen. Most protests are a cry to be heard. When their message is heard, their methods may change.
This is what Jesus did for us. We have all repeatedly disrespected God’s holiness, love, justice, righteousness, etc. Instead of remaining in heaven, cursing and punishing our rebellion, Jesus entered our pain and absorbed it on the cross. Because of His love and our faith in Him, our rebellious methods should change to methods of “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). And we should extend our Lord’s love, grace, and mercy to those we think deserve otherwise. Then, to God’s glory, wisdom will be proved right by her deeds.
Kenneth L. King 