The Entire Journey

Munther Isaac’s penetrating Christmas sermon from Bethlehem has gone viral. In it, he proclaims that Jesus is found under the rubble in Gaza. I am magnetically drawn to how his message subverts the atonement theology of empire that hyper-focuses on the death of Jesus as the means for a future salvation in heaven. 

There is a dissenting opinion! The point of the cross is not that it atones for sin. The cross points to a God who is at-one with the marginalized, suffering, oppressed and displaced. But God never works alone. Jesus called his followers to “take up the cross” and be at-one with them too. No matter what it costs. 

This is just the start of the story. There is hope. Not in heaven, but right here. Because God is all about composting what empire is crucifying. Like Rev. Isaac promises in the sermon, the Palestinian people will rise again. The cross calls us to join them for the entire journey. Not just after they win.