The ‘Deplorables’ in the New Testament

Last updated on: November 14, 2016 at 5:45 am by Josh Daffern

The ‘Deplorables’ in the New Testament 2016-11-14T05:45:51-06:00 Josh Daffern

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

pixabay.com

Like Mitt Romney’s infamous “47%” comment that came back to haunt him in the 2012 election, the one lasting comment that might reverberate for years was Hillary Clinton’s dismissal of half of Trump’s electorate as “deplorables.” No matter who you voted for, you’d have to admit that the deplorables got the last laugh.

As a pastor in a Southern state that voted deeply red, I guess I could accurately be described as a deplorable. But to be honest I’m okay with that description, because I see fellow deplorables in the New Testament. When Jesus was engaged in his earthly ministry, note how the elites disregarded his entire movement:

45 Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”

46 “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied.

47 “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. 48 “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.” John 7:45-49

Can you feel the contempt and derision that these chief priests and Pharisees had for Jesus’ mob? They were the deplorables, illiterate fisherman, prostitutes and tax collectors. In fact the New Testament admits as much. Look at how the Apostle Paul describes the make-up of the earliest disciples:

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Deplorables are at the heart of the New Testament story. A group of ragtag followers with no money, no power, no pedigree and no platform changed the course of human history. Need any more proof of the lasting effect of this original group of deplorables? Consider this: how many children today are named after the religious or political leaders of the New Testament, names we find in the pages of Scripture? Do you know anyone named Annas, Caiaphas, Herod, Agrippa, Gamaliel, Caesar, Augustus? Me neither. But how about the group of deplorables we find in the New Testament? Do you know of anyone named Mary, Joseph, Peter, Paul, Mark, Luke, John, Martha, Timothy? Yeah, me too.

Maybe it’s not such a bad thing to be a ‘deplorable’ for the right cause.

presidential election

Previous Post

November 9, 2016

5 Scriptures to Pray for President-Elect Trump

Next Post

November 17, 2016 5 Ways to Move Your Congregation From Sitting to Serving

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Family Matters Ministry in the Trenches Morning Brew MTVpastor New Wineskins Top Menu Truth from Life Uncategorized Watch Sermons

Select a Month June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which name means "the mother of all living" in Genesis?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Eve Mary Sarah Eden