What would Jesus say today?

Jesus taught that our words reveal the condition of our hearts and that we are accountable for what we say. This applies directly to how leaders use their platforms and the dehumanizing language they employ. The refusal to take responsibility for hurtful speech compounds the original offense, reminding us that humility and repentance are essential to healing racial wounds.

Rather than pointing fingers in times of violence, Jesus calls us to be peacemakers who actively work toward reconciliation and safety. This requires leaders to move beyond political blame and work collaboratively to address root causes of crime—poverty, mental health, and community investment—rather than simply escalating conflict.

Jesus spoke with fierce protectiveness about children, warning that those who harm them face severe judgment. This applies not only to direct perpetrators but to institutions that create environments where exploitation can occur. Corporate responsibility extends beyond profits to the sacred duty of protecting the innocent and vulnerable.

Jesus identified himself directly with the poor, hungry, and marginalized, teaching that how we treat the vulnerable is how we treat Him. Withholding resources from those in desperate need contradicts this fundamental teaching. The call to care for "the least of these" is not optional but central to living out faith in action.

Jesus explicitly includes welcoming strangers among the acts of righteousness that define His followers. In biblical times, hospitality to strangers was a sacred duty. This teaching challenges us to see immigrants not as threats but as human beings deserving dignity, especially when they flee violence and poverty seeking safety for their families.

Jesus taught that we must choose whom we will serve, and that divided loyalty is impossible. This boycott represents people making a conscious choice to align their actions with their values, even at personal cost. It's a reminder that faith demands we examine whether our daily choices support justice or injustice.

Jesus directly challenged the authoritarian leadership models of His time, presenting a radically different vision where leaders serve rather than dominate. Threatening military force against citizens represents the opposite of servant leadership. True authority, Jesus taught, comes through humble service, not through intimidation and coercion.

Jesus himself experienced homelessness and housing insecurity during his ministry, giving him intimate knowledge of this suffering. His identification with those without shelter reminds us that housing is a fundamental human need, not a luxury. Those who follow Jesus are called to ensure everyone has a safe place to call home.

The Golden Rule asks us to imagine ourselves in others' shoes—including families watching their loved ones taken away, unable to provide for children left behind. Would we want our own families treated this way? Jesus's teaching calls us to craft policies that reflect the compassion we would desperately desire if we were the vulnerable ones.

Jesus specifically mentioned visiting prisoners as an act of righteousness, identifying himself with the incarcerated. This challenges us to see those behind bars not as disposable but as image-bearers of God deserving dignity and redemption. A justice system that warehouses people without addressing restoration or rehabilitation contradicts the transformative mercy Jesus embodied.