People’s Politics or Christ’s Kingdom
Once again another pastor, another church is in the news for a political sermon. The pulpit and politics are an explosive combination. Whether you’re left or right, red or blue, churches tangled in the political arena are making the news. The question is “Why?”- “Why do they feel the need to get tangled up in the political arena?” One might answer that Jesus did – and they would be right. Jesus was certainly a revolutionary, a political figure in Palestine throughout his life and ministry. This political force was carried on by his disciples even impacting and re-creating the Roman Empire through Constantine.
But I think Jesus was hesitant to be considered a political figure, during his questioning with Pilate Jesus reveals this about his political aspirations, “‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ 37Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’” (John 18:36-37)
The truth is that Jesus rejected political means in order to exert his spiritual authority. He was more concerned with the “Kingdom not from this world.” Truth be told I think Christ realized the limitations of earthly politics – kingdoms. They are exclusive, they are subject to corruption, they are not eternal, they are weak. Christ was concerned with the eternal Heavenly Kingdom and desired to sit upon the throne of heaven alone. Why then are we so concerned with what Christ was not? Christ says, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.” The power we have is not as a voting block but as living stones being built together as a temple for the Living God. This is the power we have, this is the force to be reckoned and reconciled with. Leave the politics to the politicians, let us be about the business of the bringing about the Heavenly Kingdom of God. What kind of power do politics have in comparison with our gracious and righteous God?
“He will bring forth justice to the nations.
He will not cry or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faint or be crushed
until he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his teaching.”
- Isaiah 42:1-4
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