He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its
shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.[1]
Engaging in a study of “the passivity of Jesus” carries a
high degree of trepidation. According to the dictionary “passivity” is “…not
acting to influence or change a situation; allowing other people to be in
control.”[2] In
the field of psychology “passivity” is not a positive attribute. Passivity is handled
under headings such as, “How to Overcome Passivity”, “Releasing Inner Passivity”,
or, PASSIVITY, By Pam Nugent, M.S. “…a type of adaptation, or maladaptation,
wherein the person takes on a trend of submissiveness, reliance, and retreat
into inaction.”[3] In the modern connotation
of passivity, Isaiah’s prophecy suggests that the listed characteristics in
Jesus were a psychological disorder.
I am using the word “passivity” as a synonym for
selflessness rather than those given in a dictionary –inactiveness, inaction,
inactivity, indifference, apathy, etc. The selflessness of Jesus was no
disorder, it was completely congruent with the purpose for which he came to
earth. Passivity may be a disorder if it results from insecurities or other
emotional deficiencies. The passivity of Jesus was not a fault in any way. Jesus
showed anger, when the temple was being desecrated by those making it a place
of commerce. His anger and actions had nothing to do with self-preservation, or
promotion –that was his Father’s House, and he was overcome with anger at the
disrespect being shown to the temple and his Father.
The death of Jesus was not because he was unable to prevent
it. It was his choice!
For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in
order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own
accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I
have received this command from my Father.[4]
The enemies of Jesus may have gloated as their plan to
getting rid of him proceeded. Little did they know the reality of the
situation. When Peter took it upon himself to protect Jesus and resist his
arrest, Jesus said to him-
Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will
perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he
will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?[5]
The passivity of Jesus was not a weakness or malady, it was
strength born out of obedience to the will of God. It was the ultimate expression
of submission to God’s purpose. It was the prime example for his followers. It
was his teaching fully expressed.
You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a
tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you
on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and
take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one
mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not
refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.[6]
You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate
your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes
his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and
on the unrighteous.[7]
As a person who leans heavily to the fight side of the
“flight or fight” spectrum, I would like there to be a few caveats with these
instructions –there are none. Considering the difficulty of the requirements
above, people search for opportunity to water them down to be less onerous for
modern application. Paul an apostle of Jesus, wrote that he didn’t always do
what he should do, and sometimes did what he shouldn’t do. However, he also wrote,
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God;
for it is written, ‘Vengeance
is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they
are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap
burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.[8]
Paul here quotes a saying from the Proverbs. The heaping of
hot coals is not to satisfy one’s need for retribution. That phrase requires an
interpretation consistent with the injunction not to seek vengeance.
The passivity or selflessness of Jesus is seen in Paul’s
writing to the Philippians,
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard
others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own
interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was
in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality
with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of
a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he
humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a
cross.[9]
It is interesting that Paul wrote to the Philippian
believers regarding the humility and selflessness of Jesus. It was in Philippi
that Paul let his humanness direct his actions. Even though Paul may have
sought satisfaction by insisting the leaders of Philippi personally ask he, and
Silas to leave, his teaching is clear that believers must not seek vengeance.
To his credit on this occasion, Paul invoked his privilege of Roman citizenship
after he had suffered beating.
When morning came, the magistrates sent the police, saying, ‘Let those men go.’ And the jailer reported the
message to Paul, saying, ‘The magistrates sent word to let you go; therefore come out now and go
in peace.’ But Paul
replied, ‘They have
beaten us in public, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown
us into prison; and now are they going to discharge us in secret? Certainly
not! Let them come and take us out themselves.’ The police reported these words to the
magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman
citizens; so they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked
them to leave the city.[10]
The personality traits needed to accelerate one’s self to
higher positions in the corporate world, or characteristics which are deemed
suitable to achieving success, are not those we would attributed to Jesus. The
nature of Jesus would easily have contributed to his rejection by the Jews.
Judaism was not anticipating a gentle, passive Messiah, it was expecting a
strong king to lead Israel to victory and establish a powerful kingdom. David
determined to have his son Solomon rule on the throne of Israel. His
instructions were to have Solomon ride the mule David rode, and to proclaim him
king of Israel.[11] Solomon’s elevation to
the throne of Israel was accompanied by regal pomp. Jesus, the King of the
Jews, was not surrounded by any symbol of royalty. “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is
coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a
donkey.”[12]
…he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his
appearance that we should desire him.[13]
I wonder what parishioners would say if their priest,
preacher, or pastor, turned up for Sunday service wearing a t-shirt and jeans. “Jesus
addressed an audience”; that phrase elicits a picture of a priest in official
habit, or a person in a suit lecturing an audience. Jesus never rented a hall,
he didn’t have makeup artists doing touchups to present a picture perfect face.
He didn’t associate with the religious leaders, nor did he dress as John the
baptizer in rustic clothing typical of humble status. Jesus did not use any
material or physical accoutrements to impress people. He was and is the living
Word of God.
Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with
me.’ And going a
little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let
this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ … Again he went away for the second
time and prayed, ‘My
Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ … he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words.[14]
These are not the words of a passive person as defined in
modern psychology. Jesus was fully aware of what confronted him, he had no
death wish, he wasn’t indifferent, and certainly would have avoided the cross
and rejection, if there had been any other way. It is evident that the
passivity seen in Jesus was not weakness. Jesus humbled himself for the good of
others.
Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus said, ‘You say so.’ But when he was accused by the
chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, ‘Do you not hear how many
accusations they make against you?’ But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the
governor was greatly amazed.[15]
The impact of Jesus’ passivity facing a life or death
situation was an amazement to Pilate. It was most unusual for an accused
“criminal” not to speak in his own defense. It wasn’t his purpose to
successfully defend himself against the accusations of the Jewish leaders,
though he had that ability. He didn’t endeavour to persuade Pilate that he was
undeserving of death, though it appears that Pilate was looking for reason to
release him. Even on the cross, as the religious elite scorned him saying, “Come
down from the cross, and we’ll believe,” or “He saved other, he can’t save
himself.” To the soldiers Jesus was just another criminal –until his death, “…when the centurion and those with
him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place,
they were terrified and said, ‘Truly this man was God's Son!’[16]
In the world we live in, we are surrounded by injustice.
World leaders lie, and manipulate events for personal gain. There are scenes of
anarchy, there are scenes of murder and brutality. There is poverty, starvation,
and disease. There are perpetrators of heinous crimes. Less publicized are acts
of kindness, and generosity. To be like Jesus we should quietly and
unobtrusively do good.
[1]
Isa 53:7
[2]
https://dictionary.cambridge.org
[3]
psychologydictionary.org
[4]
Joh 10:17, 18
[5]
Mat 26:52, 53
[6]
Mat 5:38-42
[7]
Mat 5:43-45
[8]
Rom 12:19-21
[9]
Php 2:3-8
[10]
Act 16:35-39
[11]
1Ki 1:30-35
[12]
Mat 21:5, Zec 9:9
[13]
Isa 53:2
[14]
Mat 26:38, 39, 42, 44
[15]
Mat 27:11-14
[16]
Mat 27:54
