Jesus Was Not Passive

Jesus demonstrated a strong leadership style, particularly during his trial and crucifixion, he actively challenged the religious leaders and expose their wrongdoing. His actions reflect a refusal to be a passive victim, instead embodying a transformative approach to love and resistance against evil.

Many people mistakenly view Jesus as passive due to his acceptance of suffering and death. This interpretation overlooks His active engagement in confronting injustice and evil. Yet Jesus demonstrated a strong leadership style that was neither passive or violent.

The Third Way

Jesus exemplified what is known as the “third way, a response to threats that avoid both passivity and aggression. This approach included:

• Respecting oneself and the attacker
• Responding with compassion
• Challenging the oppressor without mirroring their violence.

An example of this was when He was being questioned by the religious leaders, Jesus turned their inquiries back on them, maintaining His dignity and identity.

Jesus took decisive action that reflected His active leadership.

• He drove out merchants from the temple, showing righteous anger against corruption.
• He consistently challenged societal norms and injustices and advocated for the marginalized.

He had an active and passive obedience.

This describes the different aspects of Jesus’s mission. His active obedience referred to His perfect adherence to God‘s law throughout His life, while His passive obedience pertained to His suffering and death, which paid the penalty for humanity’s sin. Both are essential for understanding His role as our Savior.

Jesus was not a passive figure, He actively engaged with the world, demonstrating leadership through love, compassion, and righteous action.

Jesus’s command to “turn the other cheek” is sometimes interpreted as a blanket instruction to be passive in all situations, rather than a specific command. Turning the other cheek means to refuse personal revenge and overcome evil with love, not passive submission or cowardice. It’s not about being a doormat or allowing yourself to be abused.