Jesus the Patriot

I work with a very nice Jehovah's Witness guy and, understandably, we have a lot of, shall we say, interesting discussions. Now, when I say "discussions," I mean, I listen to him talk a lot. Occasionally I ask questions, but, mostly, I listen. It seems the only way to really learn about their theology.

Well, we've had these "discussions" about a lot of subjects, including one that might seem a little off the beaten path. We have "discussed," from time to time, the concept of patriotism.

Now, "Gary," we'll call him, is the first to admit that he is no patriot. I've asked him straight up if he considers himself to be such and he, quickly, but politely, said, "No." I asked him if he thought patriotism to be a sin. He didn't give a quick answer, but said that he didn't want to call it that.

We've had a couple of "discussions" on the subject at hand and I even went so far as to quote that great poet, Merle Haggard: "They love our milk and honey, but they preach about some other way of livin'." It was much like water on a duck's back. Gary had, obviously, heard that before.

Today, several of us were involved in one of our regular political verbal altercations. Gary, as he usually does, joined in the fray, offering his opinions on the good and bad, mostly bad, of our nation's government. (It always strikes me as a little odd that Gary has so many opinions about a government for which he feels no loyalty.) Before I knew it, we had begun another round of "Patriotism: Good or Evil."

Now, I don't mind a good debate or even, sometimes, a good argument. It's how we learn things. Hopefully, it's sometimes how we teach things. This was a learning moment for me.

Gary asked an excellent question that I don't think I'd ever actually considered. He asked me if Jesus was a patriot. Of course, my initial reaction was that He was, but I paused for a moment, enjoying the brilliance of the question. Gary seemed to think that he had stymied me. He was mistaken. I was only trying to give less of a quick answer than a thoughtful one.

I, of course, told him that I do believe Jesus was a patriot, although I admitted it wasn't something I felt I could prove conclusively by the Bible. Still, I also pointed out that he could neither prove that He wasn't. Gary smiled. He thought I was bluffing.

Gary seemed to think that patriotism has something to do with what we expect from our nation. I explained that it was the opposite. I even quoted the John Kennedy attributed line, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

I brought up the scriptures that told of the the Lord's heart brake upon his approach to Jerusalem at the start of Passion Week. I explained that I believed He loved both Jerusalem and His people, the people of Israel. I remarked further, though not so articulately, that this was the definition of patriotism. He loved His country and His people. He gave His life for them. Gary wasn't buying it.

We made sundry remarks about the Pharisees and I made a few about the foreign king and Roman emperor ruling over the Jews. I was trying to make the point that of course no Israelite could feel allegiance to Herod or Caesar. We didn't get to finish the conversation. I'm sure we will continue it at a later date.

Gary doesn't understand that you can love your God and your country. As long as you don't love the latter more than the former. Is there any argument that you can love your God as well as your family? As long as you don't love the latter more than the former.

I had asked Gary in a previous conversation if he didn't think that King David was a patriot? I won't say that he agreed or disagreed or that I had stumped him, but we were, as usual, interrupted. Still, he had no real response on that particular matter except in the question he asked of me today.

There are a plethora of problems I have with the "Witnesses." Not the least of which include that they don't believe Christ is God and they don't believe that Jesus was actually, literally resurrected from the tomb.

On a personal level, this denomination, for lack of a better word, offends me because it teaches its people to be ingrates! It teaches them that the blood, sweat, toil and tears of a million brave men who died for their freedom is of no consequence to them. The killed and wounded are only pawns in God's grand scheme to protect and promote their particular persuasion of religion. They are taught that they should have no respect or admiration at all for the thousands of fallen soldiers lain out in uniform rows at Arlington Cemetery along with the thousands of others buried, burned, lost at sea or otherwise missing in action along the way. No, "offends" is probably not the word I'm looking for...detests seems the better word.

My father fought in nearly every African and European theater of WW II. He was wounded and decorated and came home older and less healthy than he thought, in his young years, he might ever be. To the "Jehovah Witnesses," that means nothing!

Merle Haggard said another line in the same song that I feel more strongly every day. He said, "If you don't love it, leave it!" Now, I'm not saying I'm ready to throw anybody in particular out this country, simply because they don't love it. (Well, maybe I am.) I'm definitely saying that we have way too many people in our country who have no real feelings of passion for the nation and it's citizens that have protected their right to not care for over two hundred years.

How long can our nation survive if fewer and fewer feel any allegiance to our country? How long can our nation survive when our citizen's have no appreciation for the sacrifices made to maintain our freedom? How long can our nation survive when less and less are willing to bear the burden, wear the uniform and stand up for the God-granted freedoms that He gave us, but expects us to do our part to defend? (This was the "turn the other cheek" part of our discussion that we also didn't get to finish.)

Luke 13

31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.

32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

"Holy Joe"

Some of the best advice my Dad ever gave me before I joined the Army was, "Don't be a 'Holy Joe.'" He said a "Holy Joe" is a soldier who is so religious that he becomes unapproachable. He told me that you can be one of the guys without being one of the sinners.

Well, when I arrived for Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, there was a trainee there who, I suppose, could be referred to as a "Holy Joe." He was always singing Gospel songs and spouting scriptures and always kept a dumb smile on his face. I'm not saying he was a bad guy, but he was terribly naive.

So, it came to pass that one day, a lot of the guys were sitting around the barracks during a short break. Most were reading mail from home. One guy in particular, seemed terribly struck by the letter he read. Someone noticed and inquired what his problem was. Well, it was pretty bad news, his girlfriend, yes, girlfriend, back home had written to tell him she was pregnant with his child. He was, understandably, and to put it mildly, devastated. He sat there on the end of his bunk bawling like a baby.

The conversation went on for a while when "Joe", who had been listening intently, stood up, and decided to put in his two cents. Yes, "two cents" that amounted to probably a dollar...a dollar too much.

"Joe" stood and began to berate the poor fellow in the worst way. He told him how pathetic people are who continue to do stupid things, like have sex outside of marriage, and then complain when something like this happens. His tone with the distraught trainee was as rough as any drill sergeant could hope to be. Then, once he was finished with his sermon, he stomped out leaving this soon-to-be father and the onlookers in mouth agape astonishment.

That was the scene left by "Holy Joe." Hurt feelings and all. Yes, he was right in his pronouncements, but where was his compassion? Where was his mercy? Could he have possibly been more malicious and thoughtless?

What happened next was, I think, nothing short of a miracle. "Joe" was back in the room within two minutes. I'm sure those present wondered, had he returned for round two? He walked straight to the man he had just emotionally body-slammed. What next?

He began by telling the guy that he was sorry and that he was wrong to talk to him that way. He said further words to the affect that, although the fellow was wrong, he didn't need to be verbally assaulted the way he was. He told him he would pray for him and his girlfriend and if he could do anything to let him know.

Then, "Joe" turned and left the room. To say the least, it left the audience a little amazed.

Joe continued to be his happy self. He and the soon-to-be father had a good relationship. It might be said that "Joe" had retained the respect of the men in his platoon.

Now, what would have happened had "Joe" not returned to that room and set his relationship with that pathetic trainee straight? Would people have only thought of him as a pompous ass and said that "Joe" considered himself superior? Would they have just thought him to be a heartless cad? I think so.

Thankfully, "Joe" managed to salvage a relationship that he had just successfully torpedoed. God, in His mercy, dealt quickly and effectively with "Joe" and saved him from losing the influence that he enjoyed as a serious, devout, though somewhat immature, Christian.

Was "Joe" right in what he said? Was the young man wrong in what he did? Do people set themselves up for the fall and then bemoan their troubles and feel sorry for themselves and wallow in self pity? Yes, to all these questions. Yet, "Joe" was living proof that you can be right and still be wrong.

Funny thing though. That little event took place some twenty-six years ago. Every time it comes to mind, I catch myself asking for the Lord's forgiveness for the way I talked to that poor boy that day. Still, I can't help but feel guilty about it. I just hope I learned my lesson.