Right now, protests are ongoing in multiple countries around the world, each addressing various issues such as the economic downturn, high inflation, and government corruption. Jesus prophesied of such unrest, stating, “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately” (Luke 21:9, NRSV).
As more protests may arise, it prompts the question: Should Christians be involved in such movements, and how should they respond to the challenges and injustices they witness? The best way to ensure we are representing God correctly is by consulting His Word.
What did Christ teach about responding to oppression?
The birth of Christ occurred during a time of significant political and social tension, with Judea under oppressive Roman rule, facing heavy taxation, economic hardship, and political instability—issues that parallel the reasons behind many modern protests against governments. In the midst of this harshness, Jesus never instructed His disciples to resist the government. He taught his followers to “Resist not”.
“But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matthew 5: 39-44
Jesus made it clear that His mission was not about earthly power or rebellion when He said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36). Even when Peter picked up his sword, Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52).
When James and John, in their zeal, wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy a Samaritan village that had rejected Jesus, He rebuked their anger and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them” (Luke 9:55-56, NASB). Simon the Zealot belonged to a class of people who resisted Roman oppression, often through violent means. From a human point of view, they were fighting for a good cause, yet Jesus called him out from that system, inviting him to follow a different path.
How did Jesus respond to oppression?
Christ did not only teach about oppression but He gave an example to us. In looking through the gospels, what do we see was Christ’s response to oppression?
‘He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7
Jesus was seized unfairly and taken to Caiaphas’s judgment hall in the night, denying Him His rights both as a Jew and as a human being. In all of this, what did Jesus do? He kept silent.
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” 1 Peter 2:21-23.
“The government under which Jesus lived was corrupt and oppressive; on every hand were crying abuses,—extortion, intolerance, and grinding cruelty. Yet the Saviour attempted no civil reforms. He attacked no national abuses, nor condemned the national enemies. He did not interfere with the authority or administration of those in power. He who was our example kept aloof from earthly governments. Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men, but because the remedy did not lie in merely human and external measures. To be efficient, the cure must reach men individually, and must regenerate the heart.” Desire of Ages p. 509, par 3.
Many times, the Jews picked up stones and sought to stone Jesus (John 6:41; 8:59; 10:31. After His first sermon in His hometown, they even attempted to throw Him headlong down a hill (Luke 4:29). Each time, Jesus escaped unharmed. When the mob came to arrest Him, He reminded His disciples, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53). Yet, He did not summon them.
How did the early christians respond to brutality and oppression?
The Roman Empire and later papal Rome committed severe atrocities, often worse than many governments today. Christians faced intense persecution under rulers like Nero, who cruelly killed believers, including apostles Paul and Peter. Emperor Domitian’s reign brought widespread executions, forcing Christians to choose between worshiping the emperor or facing death. During Pope Innocent III’s time, the Inquisition used brutal methods to extract confessions and punish those labeled as heretics.
Despite these horrific conditions, Christians did not protest or rebel, even though many times they outnumbered their persecutors. Instead, they faithfully represented their Lord, holding fast to the teachings of
Jesus. They remembered His words, such as in Matthew 5:10-12, where He blessed those who were persecuted for righteousness’ sake and encouraged them to rejoice, knowing their reward was in heaven.
“But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” Matthew 10: 23 What then should the Christian do?
1. Trust in God
“Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.” Psalm 146:3
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19.
Trust in God to help you and to handle justice in His own time and way. His repayment might not always involve punishing the offender directly but could come in the form of restoring what we have lost or providing recompense in other ways (Read Genesis 26).
2. Point people to the kingdom of Heaven
Christians look beyond their current circumstances to a promised, eternal kingdom. Remember that you are citizens of a Heavenly kingdom (Philippians 3:20). Like the patriarchs, we must anticipate and prepare for that kingdom whose builder and maker is God.”
As Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). True deliverance does not come from political parties, governors, or earthly powers, but from God’s eternal kingdom. Our campaign for God is to direct people’s focus to this coming kingdom, especially in the face of various challenges such as academic struggles, family difficulties, and economic hardships where all tears shall be wiped from off all faces (Isaiah 25:8),
3. Protest against Sin
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” Isaiah 58:1
The true solution to oppression is the indwelling of Christ in the heart.. Remember that we live in a world where many principles of human governance do not align with God’s standards. As Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Our focus should remain on the righteousness and justice that God promises, rather than being swayed by the often flawed systems of this world.
“In Christ’s treatment of this case is a lesson for all who minister in His name. When He sent forth the twelve, He said, “As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:7, 8. They were not to settle the temporal affairs of the people. Their work was to persuade men to be reconciled to God. In this work lay their power to bless humanity. The only remedy for the sins and sorrows of men is Christ. The gospel of His grace alone can cure the evils that curse society. The injustice of the rich toward the poor, the hatred of the poor toward the rich, alike have their root in selfishness, and this can be eradicated only through submission to Christ. He alone, for the selfish heart of sin, gives the new heart of love. Let the servants of Christ preach the gospel with the Spirit sent down from heaven, and work as He did for the benefit of men.” Christ Object Lessons, page 253, 254
