A Reflection on the Life of Jesus

Suffering in Jesus' Time

There is incredible suffering in Jesus’ day. Historians estimate that 95-97% of Israel lives in poverty. The people own and earn very little. They also bear the heavy cost of Jewish morality codes and Roman taxes. These institutions ask the poor to give even more. Jesus hears the cries of children going to bed without food. He sees the families who are separated when debts are not paid. Jesus understands the grief when a handicapped woman is not received in her house because the local priest deems her immoral, so she languishes as a panhandler.

Jesus' Response

So what does he do about it? Suffering is all around him. Does he give a portion of his own small wages to a family in need? No.

Does Jesus give ten percent of his earnings to his local faith community, hoping that it will make an impact in the world? No.

Does he help a local non-profit that is doing great work in the area? No.

Jesus goes even further. He wants to do the greatest good with his life. And in order to do the most good, Jesus works for systemic change. His life focus is on the bigger picture. Jesus simply does not give a portion of his wages to people in need. It will not make the change that the world requires.

Jesus' Actions for Systemic Change

In order to make the biggest difference for good, Jesus’ work can be summarized into three actions:

1. Living Among the Poor and Speaking Out Against Injustice
   He is born in abject poverty and grows up to be a construction worker, most likely a stonemason at the local quarry in Nazareth. He is not a Roman citizen. He does not grow up in a palace on a hill. Instead, he suffers with those in need, seeing that it is not their fault. And he speaks out. He confronts the religious and political institutions that cause human suffering.

2. Claiming His Authority
   Jesus steps into the role of a prophetic voice that speaks out for those in need. He allows his followers to call him the Messiah (or Christ in Greek), a title that signifies speaking on God's behalf. Jesus wants his words to carry weight, urging people to follow his lead in addressing poverty and suffering, with self-sacrifice as the answer.

3. Starting a Worldwide Revolution
   Jesus shares a message of love and self-sacrifice. His teachings align with modern effective altruism, which calls for doing the greatest good. The early Church takes Jesus' message and applies it, standing up against systems that cause human suffering and spreading his revolution of love.

The Legacy of Jesus' Mission

Jesus wants to lighten the burdens of the world, and he does it through those who follow his lead. By calling for love, self-sacrifice, and systemic change, he begins a movement that continues to inspire action against injustice and suffering.

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