Jesus as a Social Prophet

Overview

• Lecture 7 in the series on Jesus as a person of history
• Focus: Understanding Jesus through the lens of a social prophet
• Previous lenses: Jesus as a shaman, Jesus as a sage/wisdom teacher
• Jesus's role as a healer, mystic, and teacher is not sufficient to explain his crucifixion by the Roman Empire

Crucifixion and Its Implications

• Crucifixion: Penalty for crimes against the state, sedition, insurrection
• Jesus crucified by the Roman Empire – an undeniable historical fact
• Raises the question: Why was Jesus seen as a threat?

Synoptic Gospels vs. John's Gospel

• Synoptics (Matthew, Mark, Luke): Jesus's ministry lasted about a year
  • Jesus visits Jerusalem only once, during the Passover
• John’s Gospel: Ministry over 3-4 years, Jesus frequently visits Jerusalem
  • Synoptics considered to provide an earlier, perhaps more historically accurate account

Understanding Jesus within Hebrew Prophetic Tradition

• Hebrew prophets: Not fortune tellers, but used subjunctive mood (if-then statements)
  • Focused on proper worship of God and just treatment of the vulnerable
• The two primary concerns:
  • Proper worship of the God of Israel
  • Just distribution of resources within society
    • Concerned with the tetrad of the oppressed: Widows, orphans, immigrants, and the poor

Prophetic Performances and Symbolism

• Prophets used poetry, performance, and theatrical acts to make points
  • Examples: Jeremiah smashing a pot, prophets walking naked, cooking over excrement
• Jesus follows in this tradition, intertwining worship with social justice

Jesus's Actions in Jerusalem

Triumphal Entry

• Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt, people shout 'Hosanna!' and wave palm branches
  • Symbolic protest against Roman power, parodying Pontius Pilate's military parade

Cleansing the Temple

• Jesus overturns tables of money changers and sellers in the temple
  • Often misunderstood as a critique of commerce; it's symbolic of deeper issues
  • Critique of the temple as a 'den of robbers'
    • Den: A place where robbers hide after committing crimes, not where the crime occurs
    • Quotes Prophet Jeremiah: Condemnation of religious leaders collaborating with Roman occupation
    • Symbolic destruction of the temple for failing to bear fruit (Mark's use of 'inclusio')

Conclusion

• Jesus seen as a threat due to his role as a social prophet
• Upcoming lectures: Jesus’s death and resurrection