Was Jesus a Man of Privilege?

The Garden of Gethsemane is an odd place for Jesus’ privilege to become evident since that was the spot where Judas Iscariot betrayed him and where the soldiers arrested Jesus. But after Peter draws his sword, swings, and misses one of the soldier’s neck — he hit an ear instead — Jesus says this:

“Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matt 26)

Whether that is boasting or not, having simply to make one request to his father for legions of angels puts Jesus in a place that we could well call “privileged.” In fact, as an heir to David’s throne and the very son of God, Jesus was as they used to say “special.”

So how would he do with the The Privilege Walk (I won’t bother with the whole thing)?

If your ancestors were forced to come to the USA not by choice, take one step back.

Jesus doesn’t move.

If your primary ethnic identity is “American,” take one step forward.

Still still.

If you were ever called names because of your race, class, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation, take one step back.

Jesus takes one step back.

If there were people who worked for your family as servants, gardeners, nannies, etc. take one step forward.

Jesus steps forward.

If you were ever ashamed or embarrassed of your clothes, house, car, etc. take one step back.

Jesus stays put.

If one or both of your parents were “white collar” professionals: doctors, lawyers, etc. take one step forward.

No movement.

If you were raised in an area where there was prostitution, drug activity, etc., take one step back.

Let’s have Jesus take one step back since he is known for being in the company of tax collectors and prostitutes.

If you ever tried to change your appearance, mannerisms, or behavior to avoid being judged or ridiculed, take one step back.

Does the resurrection count? Probably not.

If you studied the culture of your ancestors in elementary school, take one step forward.

No steps.

If you went to school speaking a language other than English, take one step back.

One step back.

If there were more than 50 books in your house when you grew up, take one step forward.

No movement.

That is only about one-quarter of the Privilege Walk’s tests and at that point, Jesus is two steps back from where he started. I still think the ability to call on legions of angels could move Jesus from the oppressed to the privileged.

Here’s the thing, in his humiliation and exaltation, Jesus went on his own Privilege Walk. The Shorter Catechism is a useful guide:

Q. 27. Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?

A. Christ’s humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law,

One step back.

undergoing the miseries of this life,

Another step back.

the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross;

And another, but more likely the crucifixion counts for at least three.

in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.

Another circumstance for which a mere one step won’t do. Let’s make that four, for a total of nine steps backward.

But Jesus regains his position (and then some) in his exaltation.

Q. 28. Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?

A. Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day,

One step forward.

in ascending up into heaven,

Another step forward, but surely it counts for more than one, at least two.

in sitting at the right hand of God the Father,

That has to be three steps forward.

and in coming to judge the world at the last day.

Sorry, but judgment day has to be worthy of five steps forward. That adds up to a total of eleven steps forward.

Minus the nine steps of his humiliation, that leaves Jesus two steps ahead of his starting point.

Does this mean woke Christians cannot say “what would Jesus do” in good conscience?

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