In my home country here in New Zealand we’re fast approaching the general election and it seems to me that issues of politics seem to be at the forefront of news all around the world. Politics was something many tried to draw Jesus into when he was here on the earth. The Jews were hoping for a political leader and deliverer in their Messiah They were hoping he would deliver them from the tyranny of the Roman Empire. Today I want to consider the issue of whether Jesus was political.
The Jewish leaders came to Jesus in Matthew 22, seeking to entangle him in politics. They asked him “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (Matthew 22:16-17)
They were trying to cause him to make a political statement and he answered “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Jesus answer made it clear that he would not allow himself to be entangled in earthly politics. His great mission was not to usher in political change, but to usher in His Kingdom, a Kingdom of heart change.
When Pilate asked Jesus about His Kingdom he replied, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36) Jesus’ business was the Father’s business – the promotion and building of the Kingdom of God. As children of God, and citizens of God’s Kingdom, we are part of a greater realm!
We are called however to vote and participate in earthly political processes. The Bible says in Proverbs 13:34 that “Righteousness makes a nation great, but sin diminishes any people.” Godly leadership is a blessing to any nation, and we are called to shine our light into the darkness and work to encourage righteousness in Govenrment.
Romans 13:1 tells us “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” We are called to pray for and respect those in authority. We want to see godly, Christian people influencing the earthly, political realm with godly principles, but we need to remember the only hope for lasting change and transformation in society is when people are born again and enter the Kingdom of God.
I’ve had people tell me that when they got saved, the grass looked greener, the sky looker bluer. They had a totally different view of the beauty of God’s creation because they had become part of the Kingdom of God. We are receiving an unshakable Kingdom and Jesus is our King. I want to encourage you today, it’s important to be involved n this world and be salt and light in every sphere, let’s just remember we are in this world, but not of this world. (John 17:14-15)
