Anarchist Thursday

Today is "Holy Thursday" or "Maundy Thursday." It is the fifth day of Holy Week, and is preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday.

According to Wikipedia, "On this day four events are commemorated: the washing of the Disciples' Feet by Jesus Christ, the institution of the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, the agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot."

We should also commemorate Christ's institution of anarchism on this day.

According to Luke, writing in his Gospel, the Disciples took "the Last Supper" as an opportunity to argue over who would be greatest in the coming Kingdom. As Mark records the conversation, Jesus commands his disciples to be anarchists instead.

Most people, when they hear the word "anarchists," think of bomb-throwing assassins who oppose private property and foment chaos and riots. They think of protesters at the G20 conference who throw bricks through the windows of businesses.

A True state of "anarchy" is not a condition of riots and vandalism. Such a state is actually a state of "poly-archy" or "multi-archy," with numerous people attempting to impose their will on others through violence or the initiation of force, and not just one such person ("monarchy").

And, of course, people who think of "anarchists" in this way are glad when the "archists" show up to bring order (though they never think of calling those who put down "anarchy" as "archists").

But Jesus is not on the side of the "archists."

Ye have known that they who are considered to rule the nations do exercise lordship over them, and their great ones do exercise authority upon them. But so shall it NOT be among you

The word "RULE" is the Greek word from which we derive the English word "anarchist." They are considered to be "archists." They are considered to have the right to be lords (kurios) and the right to be "the powers that be" (exousiai, compare Romans 13). But Jesus says His followers are NOT to be "archists." They are to be servants.

The first 20 centuries after Christ saw the rise of Christendom, and the creations of institutions of service, such as hospitals, orphanages, universities, and industry. In the 20th century, Christians retreated, began waiting for "the rapture," and allowed "archists" to take over.

Ever since Martin Luther was protected by Saxony's Frederick "the Wise," Protestants have been too patriotic. They have fought to conserve the power of "the State."

Archism was pagan in origin, but has become a Christian heresy. Patriotic, conservative Christians have become a great force for death and violence rather than service.

The next great leap forward in human progress will come when Christians follow Christ, reject lordship and archism, and return to private service and anarchist dominion. Like Easter, this will bring life out of death,and light to a world in darkness.