Jesus or Caesar

An opinion and commentary on the lives of the most holy

We’ve all been hurt, emotionally battered, bruised by the words of others. As for me, there is nothing more painful, more distasteful than the belittling and cheapening of my service and sacrifice to our great nation. After six years of service in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard I was critically injured in Iraq. My wounds led to the amputation of both of my legs, changing the rest of my life. Like a festering canker sore in the mouth, the words of “friends” and family have left their indelible stain. Never in my life have I witnessed such a foolish display of confidence.

Allow me to give some background information on the subject. Several months ago my wife and I were targeted through email and were informed of our shortcomings. Apparently military service is dishonorable and sinful. As shocking as this may sound, some believe that protecting our people from radical Islam is inherently evil and those serving should “drop out and join something honorable like green peace”. As you can imagine…….I laughed.

Over the next several days we were accused of being warmongers and supporters of violence. As if these comments hadn’t been obtuse enough, we were then implicated of worshipping Caesar instead of Christ. Those of you who care can look at Romans chapter 13, verse 1 in your bible, I trust that you are capable of drawing your own conclusion.

As the pointer-finger of accusation bears down on me, inching ever closer, I thought it would be appropriate to try and crack the impenetrable cocoon of naivety and ignorance that surrounds these individuals. Over time, the larval stage of ignorance blooms into full-blown stupidity if not corrected. It has become increasingly obvious that the wielder of this dagger has a short memory. Perhaps memories can be refreshed best in the form of short stories, let’s try one.

This is a true story written from an outside perspective. The names of the individuals mentioned are completely fictional so that their identities can remain confidential.

Part 1 – knowledge and service

Rayna was a young intelligent girl, given every opportunity to succeed. Her mother and step father were proud of her near-perfect grades and her ability to pour through the mounds of college coursework with ease. During College, Rayna met someone. John was a handsome student at the Quaker school who also displayed a keen intellect and held many of the values and morals that Rayna did. As Rayna and John studied at the same institution, they began their path to enlightenment. Little did they know they would soon hold the answers to every problem on the globe. Graduation day arrived quickly, and with it, the diploma that would serve as the hub of their credibility. It was the diploma that could convey the true depth of their vast knowledge, and would propel them into the world ready for any obstacle.

After four years of cultural edification, it was clear to John and Rayna how they should use their new found skills; they would serve God by helping the poor people of Uganda. Over a few short months in college, John and Rayna traveled abroad to help people of impoverished nations. John soon found himself enjoying tea with leaders of terrorist organizations in Palestine and learning that the United States and Israel are the true tyrants of the world. After long talks with Hezbollah and Hamas, he felt relieved to know that they really are misunderstood and that Islam is a peaceful and just religion (as long as you are not a woman or an infidel). As John left his new friends, the sun seemed to shine a little brighter. Hope and warmth filled his spirit as he skipped back to his hotel room. He now understood the true faith of his Muslim friends.

John and Rayna never forgot the people they saw, and felt the gentle leading of the Lord calling them to serve in Africa. John and Rayna became quite vocal to all of their friends and family that they would be willing to sacrifice everything that they knew here in the United States in order to do the right thing for those poor people. After all, that was God’s plan for their life. They felt the true calling of the Lord and were needed desperately in the region.

As planning turned to preparation, preparation to action, the time had come for John and Rayna to fly across the vast oceans to their new home. After arriving they would settle into a nice home (somewhat similar to that of a Georgian cotton plantation in the mid 1800’s). John and Rayna had planned on staying in their home (not without a staff of course) as night fell, only to return to the people as morning rose. The plan was to travel by car, their driver would escort them from their secure location back to the slums of Uganda so that they could continue their honorable work. Best of all, serving God also came with a healthy salary! AMAZING! They could live like kings. Just imagine all of the extra money in savings, the nest egg that they could build, the future they could have. This was proving to be a perfect time in their lives.

Part 2 – Truth

Everything seemed perfect. Rayna spent the entire plane ride daydreaming of the wonderful memories that John and her could build serving God in Africa. These people needed John and Rayna so bad, Rayna could hardly wait to start the work that God had prepared for her. As she sat awake, she continued to think to herself and thank God for the opportunity.

The plane landed and Rayna was jolted awake. She looked over at John with a giddy excitement that he could only understand. Their lives had begun! The next several hours proved to be daunting and tiring as they embarked on the journey to their new home. The taxi driver glanced back through the rear view several times observing the excitement of the young couple. As they pulled into the place they would call home, they couldn’t help but notice the house was not what they had imagined. Run-down and filthy, they toured their humble home only to be left with feelings of disappointment and anger. This is not how they were supposed to live. Over the next several days John and Rayna met with the team that had recruited them to this remote part of the world. They soon learned that they would have no maid, no driver, or chef. Most disturbing of all, the salary was nothing more than a rumor. Calamity flooded their emotions as they re-evaluated God’s direction in their lives. It was now clear; the people of Africa were fine without John and Rayna. In fact, maybe God really hadn’t spoken at all. Their God wouldn’t send them to live like animals. They had been lied to, fooled, humiliated by the individuals who had recruited them. They had never been more-sure of themselves. It was time for the young elitists to leave Africa and apply their vast and unending knowledge elsewhere in the world.

THE END

As you reflect on this short story, think deeply about who John and Rayna have chosen to follow: Jesus, or Caesar? There are many scriptures that encourage Christians to go forth and share the gospel, here is one: Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

After searching The Bible for some passage, something that promises missionaries with housing, cars, drivers, maids, salaries, or first-class service, I came up with nothing.