What Is Jesus' Agenda for Our Country?

Good morning America! We've just inaugurated a President, and heard his agenda for the next four years spelled out. Some of us are inspired by what we heard, some of us not so much- as we can't seem to agree on a common course of action.

As Christians, we might ask: 

Of course, we also tend to disagree on things we see Jesus as being "for" or "against." But Jesus seems pretty clear on one subject- poverty.

For instance, consider Jesus' own inaugural address. 

"Wait!", you say. "Jesus didn't hold public office."

No, that's right! He was anointed, not elected. THE Anointed One- to be exact.

And he didn't give a speech, but maybe a sermon. Actually not even a homily.

It was short, lacking any pomp and circumstance- and actually was a total rip-off of Isaiah (you'd think the Messiah would have original material, wouldn't you? Perhaps there's something to note in that), but here it is:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

    because he has anointed me

    to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

    and recovery of sight for the blind,

to release the oppressed,

  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

The reference is to the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25) an occurrence EVERY 50 YEARS when all property was to be returned to the original owner, all debts where forgiven, all slaves and indentured servants freed. It was essentially this:

It was God's plan to see that the wealth of the nation was available to everyone- that none would remain disproportionately wealthy while others remained their whole lives in poverty, slavery and servitude.

The issue of income inequality was something that plagued the nation of Israel, and brought Yahweh's displeasure, judgment and punishment. It was the re-occurring theme of the prophets like Isaiah- the very lineage Jesus announced himself to be the fulfillment of. So there you go: not new ideas, but "...the time to act!" - as Petersen transaltes in the Message.

And this is what Jesus proclaimed his mission was- to demonstrate that the year of the Lord's favor had arrived in an even greater sense- the Kingdom of God on earth.

So here's a question: Just what does the distribution of wealth look like in America- a Christian nation - over the past 50 years?

Richest 5% = +$186,000; Richest 20% = +$101, 583; 2nd 20% = +$62,435; 3rd 20% = +$38, 521; 4th 20% = +20, 263; Poorest 20 % =  - $20, 262

Makes you wonder why this has occurred, doesn't it? HOW did this happen?

Why might Jesus be concerned about this? Why has income inequality ALWAYS been not just a neutral phenomenon of wealth distribution based solely on how hard people may or may not work -but a complex social interaction with great benefit to some and serious consequences for others. Maybe this chart helps explain:

The research suggests not just correlation but causation. The many social and healthcare issues we face and debate vigorously are connected to the fact of markedly disparate income- though we often want to blame other factors or people.

So if we are going to follow Jesus and BE good news to the poor, proclaim freedom to prisoners,  recovery of sight to blind, free the oppressed and proclaim Jubilee- the year of the Lord's favor- it looks like there's an underlying problem to address if we really want be of help. Wouldn't we want to cure the cause, not just charitably treat symptoms?

Here's a link to an interesting take that spells out some of the dynamics we are facing:

http://www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_haidt_how_common_threats_can_make_common_political_ground.html

It sure looks like it might be high time to hit the button, doesn't it?

And since most of us have benefited from this inequality,  probably being in at least the top 40%  if not higher, what does being a follower of Jesus mean to us?

What is our responsibility given what we can now see, and the degree to which we have prospered?

Clearly, our sense of concern for others and justice is strong. 

What would it take for us to live into the "better angels of our natures"?

What would it look like if were inspired enough by Jesus' inaugural message to seek to live it out?

What if we sought liberty and Jubilee for all?