I don’t reference politics much. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I’ve addressed this topic during a Sunday morning worship service and each of those times has been focused on leading Christians to focus on Jesus and then allow their political views to be shaped by him. I honestly cannot remember the last time I wrote about politics, either in a blog post like this or a general social media post.
As a follower of Jesus, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time studying his life and ministry. That journey has shaped how I see my own interaction with the political landscape of my home country. There was a time that I believed as a Christian, it was my duty to support political candidates and initiatives that seemed to line up with what I saw as biblical teaching. This is what I saw modeled around me so I embraced it. However, as I took a closer look at the Gospels and the New Testament letters, I discovered that this view of faith and politics was noticeably absent. Jesus did not look to the political leaders of his day to further God’s Kingdom. He did not teach his followers to do this. He never expressed interest in gaining power or influence in Israel. He didn’t seek a place among the religious leaders (who were the prominent political influencers as well). Nor did he attempt to place any of his followers in places of worldly power.
In short, Jesus did not fight a culture war. He did not use public policy to force people to change. Here’s what he did: he called people from all walks of life to follow him. He healed the sick. He preached the truth of the kingdom of God, which was manifested in himself. He confronted the injustice of the religious leaders. He advocated for the sick and the poor. He called for repentance of sin and forgave those who turned to him. And instead of taking a position of cultural power and influence, he gave up his own life to set people free from spiritual bondage. Instead of a throne of power, he chose a cross of shame.
After his resurrection from the dead, his disciples asked him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” (Acts 1:6). Even after following him for three years, they overlooked the true nature of God’s kingdom. Their hope was a restoration of the glory days of Israel. Jesus corrected them in his response:
He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8)
Jesus told them not to concern themselves with the earthly kingdom of Israel, but instead to focus on God’s kingdom, which meant telling others about him.
These words have shaped my life during the most politically charged period I have personally experienced. I have stood on this truth and many others in Scripture like it, and shared them with those I shepherd in our church. Some have heard, received and began to apply them. Others have walked away in search of someone who will support their political leanings, and I have had to let them go. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul said it would be this way. But it’s still painful when it happens.
In our nation, tensions are high. The two-party political system is horribly broken, which is clear as we watch each of them attempt to undo what the other has done. Christians are tempted to choose sides and many have done so. In Donald Trump, one party has a figure so polarizing that the majority of Americans seem to either love or hate him. I am left to wonder if the other party will eventually find its own polarizing figure in hopes of gaining power and momentum. Followers of Jesus should be asking, “What is my duty in all of this?”
In John 21, Jesus said it best when Peter started wondering about what would happen to his fellow apostle, John:
Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”
Take some time to read through the Gospels. Open your heart and leave behind your political beliefs. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your mind as you read and allow yourself to be formed and molded by the heart of Jesus. If you do this, you’ll experience his peace.
And if you’d like to have a conversation with someone along the way, I’m here.
Dan Londeree 