Recently the Obama campaign and its surrogates have been putting forth the preposterous proposition that Jesus Christ was a “community organizer”, and that Pontius Pilate was a “governor”. The obvious connection they want us to make is that Barack Obama is like Jesus Christ, and Sarah Palin is like Pontius Pilate. I guess one could possibly draw those conclusions if they knew nothing about Jesus Christ or community organizing. However, when one examines the facts, one could very well come up with the exact opposite conclusion. First let us begin with a working definition of “community organizer” and see if Jesus Christ actually was one. Since Obama is the “community organizer” that is being compared to Jesus, perhaps it is best to use his own words in defining the occupation:
“In theory, community organizing provides a way to merge various strategies for neighborhood empowerment. Organizing begins with the premise that (1) the proble ms facing inner-city communities do not result from a lack of effective solutions, but from a lack of power to implement these solutions; (2) that the only way for communities to build long-term power is by organizing people and money around a common vision; and (3) that a viable organization can only be achieved if a broadly based indigenous leadership — and not one or two charismatic leaders — can knit together the diverse interests of their local institutions.
This means bringing together churches, block clubs, parent groups and any other institutions in a given community to pay dues, hire organizers, conduct research, develop leadership, hold rallies and education campaigns, and begin drawing up plans on a whole range of issues — jobs, education, crime, etc. Once such a vehicle is formed, it holds the power to make politicians, agencies and corporations more responsive to community needs. Equally important, it enables people to break their crippling isolat i on from each other, to reshape their mutual values and expectations and rediscover the possibilities of acting collaboratively — the prerequisites of any successful self-help initiative.” Barack Obama, After Alinsky: Community Organizing in Illinois (c) 1990 Illinois Issues, University of Illinois at Springfield ISBN: 0-9620873-3-5
Now, the first thing that comes to mind is that Obama specifically states that community organizing cannot be based upon “one or two charismatic leaders”. Ironically Jesus’ entire ministry was based on His uniqueness as a charismatic leader. In fact His ministry was predicated upon His claim to be the “only begotten Son of God” (see. John 3: 18), that He was literally God in the flesh, and that He was the “way, the truth, and the life” (see John 14:6). Hence, the primary focus of Jesus’ ministry was upon Jesus Himself. He did not “bring together churches, block clubs, parent groups, and any other institutions…to pay dues, hire organizers, conduct research, develop leadership, hold rallies and education campaigns, and begin drawing up plans on a whole range of issues – jobs, education, crime, etc .”
Indeed, Jesus focused His message on the Kingdom of Heaven, not on worldly gains, which appears to be the primary role of a “community organizer”, ie. to determine specific physical needs of a community, and then to organize the community to address those needs. Rather Jesus stated plainly: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unt o you.” Mat. 6: 33
Hence Jesus addressed not the physical deficiencies of the community, but rather the spiritual deficiencies of the individual. He correctly surmised that once a person was brought into a right relationship with God, then God would provide the rest. How completely opposite from the Obama’s model of community agitating for redress of grievances. In Obama’s marxist world view based upon Saul Alinsky, the original Chicago “community organizer”, God provides nothing, it is up to the community to provide for itself.
Ironically, the profile of “community organizer” more closely fits that of Barabbas, the insurrectionist that the Jews demanded to be released instead of Jesus. Barabbas had led the insurrection against the Roman “oppressors” and had committed murder during the revolt. In short, Barrabas had identified the needs of the community, ie. that they were oppressed, an d had organized an effective response, an insurrection, which certainly rediscovered “the possibilities of acting collectively”. That would make him the ideal community organizer. Saul Alinsky and Barack Obama would have been proud. No wonder the Jews demanded that he be released instead of Jesus Christ, for Jesus spoke of a heavenly kingdom, not a worldly one.
The first century Jews were looking for a worldly leader who would save them from Roman oppression. They could not comprehend that they needed a spiritual leader to save them from their sins. Hence they wanted Barabbas, not Jesus to lead them. Obama is very much like Barabbas, he is worldly, and he is a leader. But he is no Jesus. I know Jesus, and Jesus is a friend of mine. Jesus Christ was no “community organizer”; and you, Obama, are no Jesus Christ!