We have explored the Kingdom of God in this blog, and its values. The Kingdom extolls humility over power, forgiveness over vengeance and love over insistence.
But the Kingdom of God is just that: It is of God. He sent His Son to inaugurate "a new and living way" and this way is at odds with the world and how it operates.
But what about when Jesus is made to be a partner to the political process? Doesn't that reduce His position, excellence and authority? Then, sadly, having reduced His beautiful and majestic position, we offer Him a new label, one that suits our needs, because "Lord" doesn't fit our agenda very well. We partner Him with our cause, and He becomes an honorary Democrat, Republican, monarchist, loyalist, Confederate, Union, Zealot, or whatever historical label people have given Him over the centuries.
He is one of us, but He isn't any particular one. He died to save mankind, and not just Americans or whatever group that would seek to make Him just theirs.
That's the beauty of Jesus: He is Lord to the poor, the broken, the lost--anyone who calls upon His name.
Jesus ministered to anyone who would come to Him. Think of the rollcall: a Roman centurion; a former demon-possessed woman; a prostitute; a tax collector; a rich young ruler; a leader in the Sanhedrin; a blind man; a lame man; a leper; a member of the religious class; an unclean and suffering woman; a friend who grew sick and died; a father whose daughter died; a widow whose son died; a man who hung on a cross next to Him.
Those are the ones whose label He took on and did so gladly. He became the Suffering Servant who walked with them in their suffering and was not ashamed to be associated with them. He sought the lost.
He still walks with us in our darkest moments and utterly understands our plight: No matter where we are, no matter who we are and no matter what we have done.
But if we stick our label on Him, and not the one the Father gave Him, His beloved Son, then we miss who He really is. He is the Lord of all, the Savior, the King of kings and Lord of lords and the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world.
Right now, I am seeing Jesus used as a partner in this presidential race and it deeply grieves me. I feel we are being groomed by political molesters who sit around mahogany desks and scheme how their candidate can get the Christian vote. We see photos ops and hear a kind of diluted Christian rhetoric that feels disingenuous to me.
Are we exchanging the freedom we have in the Kingdom of God, where we can work everywhere with everyone, to a more limited sphere, where we only associate with those who think as we do?
If the society is to change, it must do so from the ground up. You and I need to be the change that we want to see in this world--not deferring to a political leader to do it for us. We cheer that leader on, all the while we go about our own selfish business as usual.
We love Jesus but we ally ourselves to a political party, to an agenda, created by those who seek to manipulate us, to gain power and then control us. A vote for this or that leader is a vote for Jesus.
Really? Is He so powerless that He needs us to vote in a leader that can do the work for Him? Do we think so little of His power that we hedge our bets politically to get things done?
God offers another way:
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)
"Humbly" can also be translated as "prudently" according to Bible Gateway. We need wisdom from God, and not just who to vote for, but how to act in these perilous times.
James tells us: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." (3:13-18)
Wow. We need to ask Jesus to imbue us with His wisdom.
Jesus was surrounded by ambitious people, who thought they had figured out the best way to transform Israel to its former godly glory:
1. The Zealots: Hey Jesus! Fight the Romans with stealth and sword, and then at the right moment, rise up and rebel, and tear down their godless government, with their disgusting emperors and bloodthirsty ways! We will be standing behind You all the way!
2. The Jewish religious leaders: Listen to us! Return to the Torah with increased fervency and devotion and follow the Law without wavering, and don't listen to that Rabbi from Nazareth. We know what's best, not Him.
3. The Disciples: Just use your incredible power, Jesus, and become that Warrior-Messiah we know You are and make this Roman oppression go away! Then set up a new government with us in charge!
The list goes on and on.
Jesus is not a running mate.
He is Lord and is calling us to bring His light into a dark world, healing to a broken world and love to an angry world.
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