In Matthew 10:34, Jesus made a seemingly enigmatic statement: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth, but a sword.” Jesus graphically depicted how differing views of Jesus would divide people.
The contrast between views could not be starker between the Left and the Right. One party removed God from its 2012 platform while the other is derided by the Left for its embrace of the Religious Right.
As usual, Jesus is the pivot point, the demarcation line, or, as He put it, the sword which divides. Jesus is either a rock of offense or the foundation of one’s faith.[1]
The head of the Democrat Party, President Obama, views Jesus as a dead social justice activist, while President Reagan, the model for most Republican candidates, viewed Jesus as both alive and divine.
Obama’s Jesus – Social Justice Activist
President Obama’s Christmas message in 2015 was simple and secular. Obama said (emphasis added),
“Today, like millions of Americans and Christians around the world, our family celebrates the birth of Jesus and the values He lived in his own life. Treating one another with love and compassion. Caring for those on society’s margins: the sick and the hungry, the poor and the persecuted, the stranger in need of shelter – or simply an act of kindness.”
With his very next words, Obama watered down the significance of both Christ and Christmas, saying,
“That’s the spirit that binds us together – not just as Christians, but as Americans of all faiths. It’s what the holidays are about: coming together as one American family to celebrate our blessings and the values we hold dear.”
Actually, no. Christmas is about worshiping the newborn Babe and risen King.[2]
While people of all faiths can certainly enjoy this festive time of year, and Americans of all faiths should certainly strive for peace and harmony, only one faith – and, in particular, one Person[3] – is the reason for the season.[4]
God blessed America because people of the Christian faith sought His will in establishing this great nation. Our political, cultural and spiritual heritage is distinctly Christian in nature.[5]
Reagan’s Jesus – Divine
In contrast to Obama’s view of Jesus as a dead social justice activist, Reagan viewed Jesus as both alive and divine.
President Reagan’s 1983 Christmas Eve address (emphasis added):
“We celebrate the birthday of the Prince of Peace who came as a babe in a manger. Some celebrate Christmas as the birthday of a great teacher and philosopher. But to other millions of us, Jesus is much more. He is divine, living assurance that God so loved the world He gave us His only begotten Son so that by believing in Him and learning to love each other we could one day be together in paradise.”
Speaking of our nation’s Founder, George Washington, Reagan said (emphasis added),
“The image of George Washington kneeling in prayer in the snow is one of the most famous in American history. He personified a people who knew it was not enough to depend on their own courage and goodness; they must also seek help from God, their Father and Preserver.”
Endnotes:
[1] See “Attacking the Faith: Did Jesus Say that He is God?” at http://wp.me/p4scHf-P.
[2] See “Celebrating Christmas” at http://wp.me/p4scHf-ct.
[3] See “Jesus, the Prince of Peace,” at http://wp.me/p4scHf-6J.
[4] See “Not a Dickens Christmas” at http://wp.me/p4scHf-cq.
[5] See “CPAC: America’s Christian Heritage Denied” at http://wp.me/p4scHf-8E.
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