“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work…” – Titus 3:1
The Zealots were basically a religious party that was like a militia. They were a resistance party, very devoted to politics, and zealous, as their name suggests. Zeal, as a rule, is not bad. Even a quick search of the Bible reveals that God speaks favorably of zeal, so long as the cause and means are just. The Zealots’ problem was that their zeal for God caused them to do things that were ungodly. In every age, there is a temptation to wrongly believe that the ends justify the means. Today, the equivalent of the Zealots would be those who talk a lot about Jesus but plan for jihad.
Both ancient and modern Zealots function as a political-military resistance movement. The Zealots in the ancient world were driven by their “prophets,” who said if there was a coordinated attack on the Roman government in the name of God, God would bless that insurrection, cause military victory, and send a political Messiah to rule and reign. Today, the spirit of the Zealots lives on with the fringe right-wing politics driven by Pentecostal “prophets” inciting the insurrection of government. They promise that a Messiah-like political ruler will be raised up by God or that Jesus Christ Himself will even return not just to rule a nation but all the nations. The vision of the Zealots does not distinguish between the two kingdoms, and, for them, spiritual problems would be largely resolved by political means, starting with a holy war. The Zealots were constantly recruiting people to join their ranks.
In the Old Testament, we do see some zealous folks. The warriors of Phinehas opposed Baal worship (Numbers 25). Elijah slaughters the false demonic prophets of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 18). When Dinah is sexually assaulted by the Shechemites, her brothers respond by slaughtering everyone (Genesis 34). Those with the Zealots’ frustration and desire for justice navigate toward those kinds of stories and say, “We need to get a sword; we need to go to war; we need to defend the honor of our God.”
Our discussion of the Zealots raises the question of what causes a conflict or war to be “just.” The following are commonly accepted guidelines by Christian scholars:
- Legitimate authority. Mobs, terrorists, and anarchists are not legitimate authorities.
- Defensive, not offensive. When Adolf Hitler ignited a world war by invading Poland, that was not a just war. Germany had not been provoked in any way. However, Poland’s response to defend itself against Germany was just.
- Noble cause. If human lives are going to be sacrificed, the cause must be worthwhile.
- Proportional force. The response must be commensurate with the attack.
- Soldiers, not civilians, were targeted. In a just war, the goal is to stop invading soldiers, not to punish innocent civilians.
- More lives are preserved than taken. If sons and daughters are going to be sacrificed, then the cause must be virtuous, the benefit must outweigh the expenses, and more lives must be saved than lost.
- Last resort. A just war begins with diplomacy and sanctions. If all those fail, then economic or military advancement ensues. Full military engagement is the last resort.
Revelation 5:5 describes Jesus as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” as well as “the Lamb who was slain.” (Revelation 5:12, 13:8) Pacifists tend to see Jesus only as Lamb, and Zealots tend to see Him only as Lion. The truth is, Jesus is both. Jesus is a Lamb with women and children throughout the Bible and will be a Lamb with His people in eternity. However, Jesus is a Lion with religious hypocrites in the Bible (especially the Pharisees and Sadducees) and will only be a Lion as He rules over His enemies in Hell forever. Jesus came the first time as a Lamb and is coming the second time as a Lion.
In tomorrow’s devotional we will discuss the famous group known as the Pharisees.
Where are you more of a lion or lamb in your own life?
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