𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫

 --- Nasir Khan

The message of Jesus of Nazareth (c. 7-2 BC – c. 30-33 AD) was viewed as a challenge to the Roman Empire and a threat to the Jewish religious establishment. Jesus was a great teacher and revolutionary of those times. Even though our knowledge of this unique person is limited due to the lack of original sources, according to a critical analysis of the contents of the Christian Bible, we see him on the side of the poor, the sick and the marginalized people. For his activities he was branded as a criminal, a subversive rebel and then eradicated.

Even after the lapse of two thousand years, his message of hope and the possibility of creating a just and righteous world order (the Kingdom of Heaven) is still alive.

In my view, that message will never die, no matter how difficult the problems confronting the human race. There will always be some courageous people to pick up the message and carry on the struggle against the exploitation of humans by humans, against oppression, ignorance, injustice and poverty.

The appeal of the message lies in the universality of human values for a worthy life. History has seen the oppressive religious rulers of the Middle Ages, the autocratic monarchs of the bygone ages, the great dictators of the twentieth century and the fall of great empires. The present global imperial world order headed by the US military-industrial complex will also come to an end in the future. But the message of hope and justice will live on.

Incidentally, I am not discussing any theological beliefs or views around Jesus in whose name a world religion arose and now has over 2 billion followers. We know how the vast array of his followers around the world see him. However, many ignore the revolutionary content of his message.

It is important for us to see the universal and revolutionary content of his message. Human values existed long before him, and they still do. Moreover, history bears the testimony that some of the most gruesome crimes have been committed in his name and in the name of Christianity. For all of that, he bears no responsibility. Instead, I point to the positive side of his message for humanity in general.

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The following figure of Jesus is imaginary. It should not be taken as a real image of him.