Walking the Way of the Cross, Not the Way of Worldly Power
In These Last Days: Reflecting on the Crusades, the Inquisition, and Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem to Understand the True Kingdom of God
Throughout history, the church has experienced some deeply tragic and sinful events, such as:
* the Crusades (1096–1291),
* the Inquisition (from approximately 1184 through the 19th century, especially during the Middle Ages and early modern period),
* and the witch hunts and executions of alleged witches, which reached their peak between 1450 and 1750.
During these events, the church often acted in the name of “defending the truth” and “protecting the faith.” Yet many sinful actions were committed, including military conquest, forced conversions, torture, religious persecution, and the killing of those considered enemies or heretics. These actions stand in sharp contrast to the truth taught by Jesus Christ.
Jesus never called His disciples to establish the Kingdom of God through the sword. Instead, He called people to testify to God through love, truth, repentance, and the cross.
What, then, is true Christian faith?
I. The Way of Jesus Is Love, Not Religious Violence
The Lord Jesus said:
“Love one another.”
(John 13:34)
He also said:
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
(Mark 12:31)
Yet throughout history, certain religious movements treated heretics, unbelievers, and even women as enemies to be destroyed. But how did Jesus teach His disciples?
1. Jesus Taught His Followers to Love Their Enemies
Matthew 5:44
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Jesus did not say, “Destroy your enemies.”
He said, “Pray for them.”
This is completely different from the ideology of conquering others by the sword during the Crusades.
2. Jesus Forbade the Use of the Sword to Defend the Faith
When Peter drew his sword to defend Jesus:
Matthew 26:52
“Put your sword back in its place… for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.”
Jesus did not allow His disciples to establish God’s work through violence. The Kingdom of God is not built through war.
3. Jesus Rejected Violence Against Opponents
On one occasion, the Samaritans refused to receive Jesus.
The disciples became angry and wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy them.
But in Luke 9:54–55, Jesus rebuked His disciples.
Jesus did not want His followers to become destroyers of people.
II. Jesus Entered Jerusalem Not to Begin a Revolution, but to Go to the Cross
This is a very important truth.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, He essentially faced two paths.
The Road to the Right: Political Revolution
Jesus could have gone to the Roman military fortress at Antonia Fortress, rallied the crowds, overthrown the Roman government, and established a Jewish political kingdom.
In fact, many Jews at that time expected the Messiah to do exactly that.
But Jesus did not choose this path.
The Road to the Left: The Way of the Cross
Instead, Jesus chose another path.
He cleansed the temple with a whip, prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, submitted Himself to the Father’s will, drank the cup given by the Father, was arrested, scourged, crucified, and shed His blood for the salvation of the world.
Jesus did not come to establish an earthly kingdom.
He came to establish the heavenly Kingdom of God.
III. Jesus Rode into Jerusalem on a Donkey: A King of Peace, Not a Military Leader
Zechariah 9:9
“See, your king comes to you… gentle and riding on a donkey.”
When kings rode war horses, it symbolized war, conquest, and judgment.
But Jesus rode a donkey, symbolizing humility, peace, gentleness, and the proclamation of God’s salvation.
Jesus was not a military revolutionary.
He came as the Prince of Peace.
IV. Jesus Cleansed the Temple Instead of Attacking Rome
Matthew 21:12–13
After entering Jerusalem, Jesus first went into the temple and cleansed it.
Why did He do this?
Because God’s primary concern is not first to change political systems, but to change human hearts.
Human corruption is not merely found in governments and external systems, but in the sinful nature within humanity itself.
V. Gethsemane: Submission to God Rather Than Control of the World
Matthew 26:39
“Not as I will, but as You will.”
The people of the world seek power, but Jesus sought obedience to the Father’s will.
Revolutionaries desire to rule the world, but Jesus willingly gave His life to redeem humanity.
VI. Jesus Refused to Establish a Political Kingdom
After witnessing Jesus perform miracles, the crowds once tried to force Him to become king.
John 6:15
Jesus withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.
Jesus did not seek an earthly throne, because His Kingdom is not of this world.
John 18:36
“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight.”
If Jesus had intended to establish an earthly political kingdom, He could have called His disciples to take up weapons and revolt. But He refused to do so.
VII. Jesus Gave the Church the Great Commission, Not a Political Mission
Matthew 28:19–20
“Go and make disciples of all nations.”
Jesus commissioned His disciples to preach the gospel to all nations, make disciples, teach people the truth, instruct them to obey His commands, baptize believers, and lead people to repentance and reconciliation with God.
Jesus did not command His followers to carry out armed revolutions, overthrow governments, or establish religious states.
Acts 1:6–8
The disciples asked:
“Lord, are You at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
They were still expecting political restoration.
But Jesus redirected their focus by saying:
“You will be My witnesses.”
Jesus shifted their attention from politics to the gospel.
VIII. The True Spiritual Battle
2 Corinthians 10:4
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.”
Jesus taught His disciples that the true enemy is not a particular nation, government, or group of people.
The true enemies are sin, darkness, human pride, hypocrisy, unbelief, and the deception of Satan.
Therefore, the Kingdom of God is not established through the sword, but through Jesus Christ—the Way, the Truth, and the Life—through love, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and understanding the meaning of the cross.
IX. A Warning to the Church Today
History reminds us that when the church departs from the love of Christ, it can easily become dominated by power, politics, violence, authoritarianism, and control.
Yet the way of Jesus has always been:
* entering Jerusalem on a donkey,
* cleansing the temple,
* submitting to God in Gethsemane,
* carrying the cross,
* shedding His blood in obedience to the Father for the redemption of the world,
* and rising again in victory.
This is the gospel that Jesus proclaimed.
Conclusion
Jesus did not call people to conquer the world by the sword.
He called His disciples to:
* love their neighbors as themselves,
* love their enemies,
* pray for those who persecute them,
* preach the gospel,
* uphold the truth,
* pursue holiness,
* and take up their cross to follow Him.
The world seeks to change people through power, but Christ transforms hearts through truth and the cross.
May those who follow Christ today no longer pursue the path of religious power and human glory, but instead return to the true way of Jesus Christ—the way of the cross, the way of loving one’s neighbor, the way of obeying God’s will, the way of truth, the way of life, and the way that leads to the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life. Amen!
