Jesus Called Ordinary People as Followers
The Gospels paint a vivid picture of Jesus's ministry, where He called fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary people to follow Him. These individuals, despite their flaws, became the foundation of the early Christian Church. But what if the story had taken a different turn? What if Jesus had called Pharisees, the religious elite of His day, instead of common people? This article explores the theological and historical implications of such a scenario, imagining the challenges, responses, and potential outcomes.
A Brief Overview of Who the Pharisees Were
The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish sect known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and their influential role in society. They were scholars, teachers, and leaders who prided themselves on their knowledge of the Scriptures and their commitment to ritual purity. However, the Gospels often depict them as antagonists to Jesus, challenging His teachings and ultimately contributing to His crucifixion.
How Would Jesus Have Called Pharisees?
In this imagined scenario, Jesus, instead of seeking out the humble and lowly, approaches the Pharisees and invites them to become His disciples. This decision would have been shocking to many, given the Pharisees' established reputation and their expectations of the Messiah as a political liberator rather than a spiritual savior.
Most Pharisees Would Have Rejected Him
The Pharisees' initial reaction to Jesus's call would likely have been one of skepticism. Unlike the fishermen and tax collectors who had little to lose, the Pharisees had much at stake—social status, authority, and their identity as the guardians of Jewish law. To follow Jesus, they would have had to abandon their positions of power and embrace a new understanding of righteousness that prioritized mercy and love over strict legalism.
An Overview of Theological Tensions
One of the most significant challenges in this scenario would have been the theological tensions between Jesus and the Pharisees. Jesus's message of grace, forgiveness, and the Kingdom of God often clashed with the Pharisees' focus on law and tradition. If they had accepted His call, they would have needed to reconcile their deep-seated beliefs with Jesus's radical teachings.
The Pharisees' emphasis on the outward observance of the law would have been directly challenged by Jesus's teachings on the heart's condition. For example, in Matthew 5:20, Jesus states, "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." This statement would have forced the Pharisees to confront the limitations of their legalistic approach and consider a more profound, internal transformation.
The Impact on Jesus's Ministry
If Jesus had called Pharisees to be His disciples, His ministry might have taken a different shape. The presence of religious scholars and leaders within His inner circle could have lent credibility to His message among the Jewish elite but at the cost of alienating the common people who found hope in His teachings.
With Pharisees as His disciples, Jesus's ministry might have taken on a more intellectual tone which present numerous faith challenges. The Pharisees were well-versed in Scripture and tradition, and their discussions with Jesus would likely have involved deep theological debates and much less evangleism than those He called. These debates could have enriched the doctrinal development of early Christianity but certainly would have also made the message less accessible to the average person.
Inter-Minitry Conflicts Would Have Hurt the Cause
The Pharisees' presence among Jesus's followers could have led to significant conflicts within the group. The original disciples, who were humble and often uneducated, might have felt overshadowed by the Pharisees' knowledge and social standing. This division could have hindered the unity of Jesus's followers and complicated the spread of His message.
Furthermore, the Pharisees' adherence to the law would have clashed with Jesus's emphasis on grace and compassion. For instance, Jesus's healing on the Sabbath and His interactions with sinners would have been points of contention. The Pharisees, who were strict observers of the law, might have struggled to accept these actions, leading to internal disputes and possibly even a split within the group.
The Response of the Jewish Community
The Jewish community's response to Jesus's ministry could have been drastically different if He had called Pharisees instead of common people. The Pharisees were respected and influential, and their acceptance of Jesus's message might have swayed public opinion in His favor.
However, this scenario could have also led to increased opposition from other Jewish sects, such as the Sadducees and the Zealots. The Sadducees, who held power in the Temple and were more aligned with the Roman authorities, might have viewed the Pharisees' alignment with Jesus as a threat to their own influence. The Zealots, who sought political liberation from Rome, might have rejected a movement that included Pharisees, viewing them as collaborators with the Roman oppressors.
A Different Path to Crucifixion
If the Pharisees had followed Jesus, the path to His crucifixion would have also been different. The Pharisees, who were instrumental in orchestrating Jesus's arrest and trial, might have protected Him from such a fate, at least initially. However, their presence would not have erased the political and religious tensions that eventually led to Jesus's death. Instead, it could have delayed or altered the events, with different groups stepping in to ensure that Jesus's radical message was silenced.
The Formation of the Early Church
The early Church's formation would have been profoundly affected by the inclusion of Pharisees among Jesus's disciples. Their influence might have led to a greater emphasis on the continuity between Judaism and Christianity, with a focus on interpreting Jesus's teachings in light of Jewish law and tradition.
A More Legalistic Christianity
One possible outcome is that Christianity might have developed as a more legalistic religion, with a stronger emphasis on the observance of the law alongside faith in Christ. This could have led to a different understanding of salvation, one that required both adherence to the Mosaic Law and belief in Jesus as the Messiah.
The inclusion of Pharisees could have also led to divisions within the early Church. The original disciples, who had experienced Jesus's ministry firsthand, might have clashed with the Pharisees over the interpretation of His teachings. This could have resulted in the formation of different sects within Christianity, each with its own emphasis on law, grace, and the role of tradition.
Conclusion
Imagining a scenario where Jesus called Pharisees instead of common people to follow Him offers a fascinating glimpse into how the course of history and theology could have been altered. The Pharisees' knowledge and influence might have brought a different dimension to Jesus's ministry, but it also would have introduced significant challenges and conflicts.
Ultimately, this scenario highlights the wisdom in Jesus's actual choice to call ordinary people—those who could be transformed by His message and who, in turn, could carry that message to the ends of the earth. In doing so, He laid the foundation for a faith that transcends social status, intellect, and legalism, focusing instead on the transformative power of grace and love. I, for one, am so blessed that Jesus called those from the streets of Jerusalem as oppoed to the temple elite!
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