One Last Blog Before the Election: Jesus and Politics
What was Jesus’ political affiliation? Republican? Democrat? Roman Empire? Jewish Revolt? Anarchy?
None of the above.
Interestingly, even in His day, nobody knows where Jesus stood politically. Many Republicans claim Him as their own today, as do some Democrats and even a few Socialists. Yet Jesus will not allow Himself to be claimed by any one party.
Jesus lived in politically charged times. Politics were nasty and deadly. Authority was oppressive. John the Baptist was beheaded for confronting Herod. The Sanhedrin threatened to expose Pontius Pilate to the Romans if he released Jesus. The tension between Roman rule and Jewish autonomy created a powder keg of political unrest. Sound familiar?
Yet, Jesus refused to take a political stance, even declining offers to take political power. He trusted in a different power. He believed in transformation from the inside out. Instead, he focused on preaching the gospel, building his church, and pointing to the coming Kingdom.
Jesus refused to take a political stance, even declining offers of political power. Instead, he focused on preaching the gospel, building his church, and pointing to the coming Kingdom.
How did Jesus navigate this charged atmosphere? His approach offers us wisdom today.
Unity Over Division
Consider Jesus’ inner circle. He included Simon the Zealot, a fervent anti-Roman activist, and Matthew, a tax collector who collaborated with the Roman government. That’s like having a far-left progressive and a MAGA conservative in His inner circle! Yet Jesus united them around something greater than politics—Himself. He brought them together under a new identity and greater loyalty.
That’s like having a far-left progressive and a MAGA conservative in His inner circle! Yet Jesus united them around something greater than politics—Himself.
A Different Kingdom Entirely
Jesus wasn’t interested in reforming Israel or making Rome a “Christian nation.” His purpose was far greater—He sought to reconcile people to God and build His church. The Kingdom that Jesus promised to come isn’t aligned with earthly parties but is made up of those who believe in Him for eternal life.
Rather than rooting our hopes in Red, Blue, or even the “red, white, and blue,” we rejoice that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). We are “aliens and strangers” here (1 Peter 2:11), “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Our focus isn’t on preventing the world from being worldly and making it more like Jesus, but on representing Jesus and sharing the Good News with the world.
Our focus isn’t on preventing the world from being worldly and making it more like Jesus, but on representing Jesus and sharing the Good News with the world.
So what does this mean for us, days before the election?
The New Testament clearly calls us to trust God’s sovereignty and live in peace, regardless of who’s in power. Paul reminds us in Romans 13:1 that “there is no authority except from God, and God establishes those which exist.”
Romans 13:1 … there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God…
So, cast your vote and participate in the process! Vote your faith and conscience guided by God’s Word. But may you do so believing that our ultimate hope is in Christ and in His Kingdom to come.