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Five Things to Remember Before You Vote

Five Things to Remember Before You Vote

Fall has arrived, which means the Midterm elections are also here. These particular elections serve as a referendum on the administration in power, the first chance voters have to shift influence in the capitol. As in any election, voters are seeking — consciously or subconsciously – for someone to step into the role of messiah. A candidate who will right the wrongs, wield power for the good, and drain the swamp.  

This belief in Messiah did not originate in politics – it is deeply rooted within the core tenets of Judaism and Christianity. The Hebrew Bible and New Testament both speak of an Anointed One – the Son of Man – who would defeat the enemy of every human soul, overcoming this eternal foe through his sacrificial death. This Son of Man’s claim as Messiah would be vindicated by his resurrection, forever granting life to all who call upon his name. The New Testament claims Jesus as this Messiah. 

American Christians embrace Jesus in this role. For many however, his messiahship is limited to the spiritual realm. This viewpoint ignores a fundamental truth about Jesus’ life and work: while Jesus did not fulfill the Jewish expectation of a political Messiah, his teachings were anything but apolitical. Divorced from context, we often miss the political implications of his ministry–both for the contemporary listener and modern reader. Allow me a moment to contextualize. 

First-century Palestine was a raging political firestorm. The Romans violently conquered the known world and then quite brilliantly, rebranded their hostile takeover as the Pax Romana, the Peace of Rome. Smaller nations like Israel were caught in the crossfire and had little choice but submission. Once the Romans established a new government, polarizing Jewish political parties grappled for what scraps of power remained. 

The Pharisees honored tradition. They resisted political and religious change and fought for the preservation of Jewish culture. They were self-appointed guardians of law and life and are often seen confronting Jesus and his followers around issues of politics and faith. The Zealots were violent extremists who engaged in a guerrilla style campaign to overthrow the Pax Romana. They sought to expel the Empire from Palestine through the use of force. The Essenes chose the way of the desert. They removed themselves from the polluted culture and built self contained communities far from the corruption of the city centers. They sought peace with God and humanity through isolation. The Sadducees were opportunists who embraced the reigning political regime. They operated as the political and religious elite, ever-posturing local to the foriegn political epicenter. Their cooperation with Rome helped them maintain an oppressive grip over political and religious life. 

The political friction these parties created was palpable. Every faction had a competing agenda and while they all sought Jewish independence, their beliefs were fundamentally irreconcilable. The resulting spectrum spanned from bloody revolution to cultural escapism. 

Into this hostile climate stepped Jesus. Revolution in the air as thick as smoke, a polarized country threatening to tear at the seams and on the brink of war with one of the most powerful empires in history. A war that if waged could never be won. 

It is important we recognize Jesus had political options, in some respects more even than you and I. However, when pressured to choose a party, he rejected the options available to him. The Messiah walked away from every political faction and chose instead to model a new way to be human, to declare the inbreaking of a new kingdom. 

You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’  But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.  And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.  If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:38-45)

We miss the political bombshells these words set off when we read divorced from the original context. At this moment, Jesus wasn’t acting as a morality teacher peddling golden rules. He was stepping into the role of Messiah and raging against the political machine. His words are a blistering critique of the Jewish factions and how they were representing God on Earth. His voice would have sent shockwaves through the crowd on the mount-–and it should send chills down our spine. 

During this sermon, Jesus compelled the audience to love their Roman oppressors. When an occupying soldier exercised his political right to conscript a Jew to carry his pack for one mile, Jesus commanded the listener to carry that pack for a second. During a time of lack, he urged the listener to give freely to anyone who asked something from them–friend or foe. He further challenged his countrymen to pray for those who occupied their nation–reminding them that their obedience was a prerequisite to being considered part of God’s family. 

In a single sermon, Jesus condemned the legalism, violence, escapism, and posturing of the political parties. In its place, he offered a different path–another way to politic. This alternate path didn’t fulfill the political expectations of his audience–a people longing for a king to overthrow Rome. To them, his kingdom was too radical to be realistic, too weak to be strong, too deferential to oust the Roman hoard. Ultimately, he was discarded as a political option and replaced by the party who offered a more practical way to end the tyranny. What resulted less than 40 years later was a war waged that could never be won and the utter destruction of a nation. 

Similarities link past and present as history has found a way to repeat herself. 

Jesus is tolerated by many within the American church today as a Savior who has little to offer in the way of politics. His teaching is relegated to the private and the spiritual. As a result, many are left searching for a political messiah, a Chosen One to end the tyranny of the left or the right. While we live in a political system that requires our participation, we’ve gone too far in expecting our leaders to carry a messianic weight that can only crush those who attempt to bear it. There is only one Messiah and He does not share His title. Our misguided expectations leave us disappointed by politicians who were never meant to fill these God-sized shoes. 

With the Midterms fast approaching, the question before us is as complex as it is simple: how should we then politic?

1 – Set realistic expectations 

Your candidate is not a messianic figure. They are a human being applying for a job. The only difference is they’re applying for a job that comes with a thousand bosses (sounds a bit stressful).  Complexity aside, the job of a politician is rather simple: to represent you and serve the public. Like any job, if they abuse their power or aren’t the right fit, their bosses (you) have the ability to fire them. If you walk into the voting booth this November with the realization you’re voting for a human, not a messiah, you’re bound to spare yourself future disappointment. 

2 – Allow Jesus to influence your politics 

If you are a follower of Jesus, his words should influence how you operate in the political space. Instead of assuming a candidate’s position, take some time to watch a speech or two. Visit their website and read their beliefs. If you want to go the extra mile and take the words of Jesus literally, try praying for the politicians who represent your district, city, state, or country. As you commit yourself to pray, you will find your thoughts towards these women and men shifting and aligning with Heaven. 

3 – Make space for others 

It’s impossible to love those you don’t understand and it’s difficult to understand those you don’t know. If you have a co-worker with different political views, take them out for coffee and learn more about them. Proximity is a powerful force for good. The more time you spend with people who have a different way of life, the more you will find yourself changed. So why not host a dinner party, set up a playdate for your kids, or invite the neighbors over for dessert? As you make space in your lives for others, you will find your mind renewed and your political perspective enlarged. 

4 – Have grace for those in power 

Public leadership is a heavy burden. While you may not agree with those currently in power, most of us would be crushed by the pressure politicians face on a daily basis. Public servants deserve not just our prayers, but also our grace. What would it look like for us to assume the best about those who have taken on this burden? How might that change how we live on a daily basis? 

5 – Vote 

This year, you have not only the power but the responsibility to cast your ballot for who you believe will govern well. So do the research, read up on candidates, attend town halls and rallies, and be honest with yourself. If you think a candidate from another party has a good track record and would do a better job in office, don’t be afraid to vote for them. Voting is a right most humans throughout history have never experienced. This year, use your vote well. 

Following Jesus should transform our personal and spiritual lives but his words shouldn’t stop there–they must seep into our politic. Jesus as Messiah didn’t avoid the muck and grime of politics–he fearlessly confronted the hypocrisy, corruption, and oppression of his time not by choosing sides but by modeling a new way to be human and announcing the inbreaking of the Kingdom of Heaven. We should regard his invitation to this new way to be human as an invitation to a new way to be political. 

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