In my country, I know folks who are really torn
between wanting to see our country go a certain way
AND
not sure how-to (or if they even should) stay in respectful relationship
with those with whom they disagree.
How do you relate?
I gathered some of my thoughts about that today, from my POV:
The Way of Jesus: LOVING Our 'Enemies'
Jesus didn’t say this from a safe, idyllic place of comfort.
He said it while living in a time of great political, religious, and social tension
—where powerful forces actively worked against him, undermining his ministry,
and eventually collaborating to have him tortured and executed.
His call to love our enemies wasn’t abstract or idealistic.
It was spoken in the face of real oppression, betrayal, and violence.
.
The FRAME in the time of Jesus: Life Under Empire
Jesus and his people lived under Roman occupation
—a foreign empire that controlled their land, economy, and government.
Some complied with Rome, others resisted, and most simply tried to survive.
Within this reality, Jesus played a deeply layered game
—neither active rebellion nor passive submission.
Instead of taking up arms against Rome
or aligning with political or religious factions,
he chose another way:
- Loving radically—healing, feeding, serving, teaching, and simply being With people.
- Unveiling a deeper reality—the Realm (Kingdom) of God/Heaven, where dominion is not about physical force but about spiritual power.
- Operating from his own authority—walking in alignment with his Divine Mission.
Acting, not reacting to outward control;
Calling us into a higher way of being and behaving.
Jesus was not just end-running the political game, but also the religious one.
He spoke truth boldly, but refused to fight on their (usual) terms.
Jesus Playing His Own GAME, Rather Than Being Played by Theirs
Jesus did not feed the energy by fighting empire directly—but neither did he comply.
He did not:
- Resist with violence, but he operated in truth and love.
- Seek political power, but his teachings threatened the powerful.
- Join the empire, but he also didn’t encourage armed rebellion.
Instead, Jesus offered a completely different game—one where:
- The Realm of God/ Heaven was real & present, more mighty than earthly politics or religion.
- The goal was not about gaining worldly power, but about inner transformation, which shifts our world from the inside out.
- The measure of success was not domination (or judgment), but love (in alignment with our Source)
Jesus wasn’t trapped in the political struggle of 'us vs. them', he TRANSCENDED it
- Most crucially—Jesus motivated people to play a different game.
- A game in which the Realm (Kingdom) of Spirit—God/Heaven—is not just real but present with us—here, there, everywhere, within, NEAR. It is a reality incalculably more valuable than what is going on physically.
- So he invited us to TURN INTO this game —this perspective, this mental model, this soul mind, this spiritual way of seeing and being and doing.
.
Jesus HOLDING the Opposites in his Heart & in his Closest Community
Jesus’ own disciples represented both extremes of his time:
- Matthew, a tax collector—a man who had collaborated with Rome and likely enriched himself at the expense of his own people.
- Simon the Zealot—a man who likely wanted to overthrow Rome by force.
Two men from opposite sides of the political spectrum, yet both invited to walk with Jesus.
Why?
Because Jesus did not define people by their political roles.
He saw them from a spiritual perspective—not as oppressors or freedom fighters, but as souls.
Jesus did not let the politics or the religion of his time define him, his relationships, his love, his ministry
- the opportunity to live in his unique Dance with the Divine, as he did - so beautifully, gracefully, practically...
Jesus Showing Us HOW to Live FOR, Not AGAINST — From a Higher Perspective
Jesus lived in a time of political division, oppression of many kinds, and under the heel of empire.
—far more intense than we do today (in much of our world)
Yet he never let the struggle for or against the powers (of anything but the Divine) determine his mission.
• He did speak out against injustice—challenging corrupt religious leaders and questioning worldly authority.
• But he also refused to be consumed by the “us vs. them” mindset.
• Instead of choosing sides, he chose to walk IN Spirit.
Why?
Because he saw beyond the surface of power struggles.
His every word and action was not dictated by worldly resistance, or even religious structures—
but rather by what he saw the Father doing and what he heard the Father saying.
(As John’s Gospel says in different way, seven times)
His path was not determined by whether someone was resisting, complying, or just getting by.
He moved in step with a greater reality—one that was always present but rarely perceived.
This is the Way he invited his followers into—not ignoring social & political realities, but refusing to be ruled by them.
.
Living The WAY of Jesus - then & now
Many of Jesus Followers Changed how they Lived & Loved in this world.
After his death, some of his followers lived as family,
sharing their lives, resources, and connection across dividing lines.
Some Turned, practicing embodying the Presence of God on earth,
not by conquering, but by transforming
—from within their own heart & soul, and from there, into their life & world.
Today, we live in a time of political, social, religious tension and division
- in the USA, and other parts of the world, as well.
Like Jesus’ time, people are pressured to choose sides: resist, or comply.
But what if we played a different game?
- What if, instead of fighting for dominance, we lived and loved radically?
- What if we saw every soul first from a spiritual perspective, rather than through human lenses/ labels?
- What if we refused to let the world’s conflicts define us: Who they are? Who we are?
This is the game I mean to play,
relative to the challenge of walking with Jesus, in my country, today.
How about you?
imoe, ymmv
: ) w
FYI - I found it interesting that this is what AI said when I asked about:
Love Your Enemies, Do Good to Those Who Hate You:
"
"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you" is a phrase from the Bible,
specifically Luke 6:27, which instructs people to actively show kindness and compassion even towards those who oppose them;
essentially, responding to hatred with love and good deeds.
Key points about this teaching:
Radical act of love:
This concept goes against the typical notion of retaliation and encourages a higher moral standard by actively seeking the well-being of one's enemies.
Example of Jesus:
Jesus himself exemplified this teaching by forgiving those who crucified him.
Challenge to overcome evil with good:
By performing acts of kindness towards those who have wronged you, you can potentially change their hearts and promote peace.
"
