For Whom Would Jesus Vote?

So, if Jesus were an American citizen (as he was a citizen of Israel during his earthly lifetime), who do you think he would vote for?  What party do you think he’d belong to?  Well, given what he said about Himself and His Kingdom, he wouldn’t belong to any party and wouldn’t vote for any candidate.  Why not?

First of all, let us not forget that there were in fact competing religious/political parties within Israel during Jesus’ earthly lifetime.  There were the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Essenes, and the Zealots, to name the top four, for example.  Each of these groups represented a distinctive social, religious, and political vision for Israel and competed for social-political power in their own way, while under Roman occupied rule.  (Indeed, the same dynamic exists in Israel today—competing religious, social-political parties that have distinctively different ideas as to the future direction of present day Israel.)

Which group did Jesus identify with?  None!  Jesus simply said, “My Kingdom is not of this world.”  (See John 18:36.)  As far as Jesus was concerned, His place, power, and position was superior to all worldly governments, political systems, and religious orders, both within Israel as well as outside of Israel, including that of Rome.  This is why he was denounced as a rebel and a threat to Rome and why Rome sanctioned his execution on the cross.  Jesus simply presumed authority over all, while also claiming that His Kingdom was not of this world.

But it seems that many American Christians have overlooked or have forgotten this truth.  Jesus (and by extension, God) is NOT an American.  Christ’s Kingdom is separate and qualitatively different from any earthly kingdom or nation on this earth.   The Kingdom values, truths, principles, and practices of Christ, stand over and above all earthly nations, dynasties, governments, and political systems.  And the Body of Christ, the church, is to represent and bear witness to the superior rule of Christ within one’s heart, mind, soul, attitude, and spirit.  Hence, the Body of Christ (The Church), and the Kingdom of Christ, is not to be confused with American patriotism, nationalism, or the American Way.  Indeed the “American way” is a far cry from “The Way of Christ.”

The Apostle Paul may serve as an example for Christians.  (Important Note: in the ancient world of Paul’s day, Roman citizenship was as prized and sought after, as American citizenship is prized and sought after today.) Yes, Paul was a Roman citizen; but he only claimed Roman citizenship as an advantage for serving his primary purpose, which was the spreading of the Good News of the Gospel.  (For example, see Acts 22:25-29.)  The Apostle Paul essentially devalued his Roman citizenship as subservient to the greater value of his service to the Kingdom of God in Christ.  That is, Roman citizenship for Paul was of little importance compared to his citizenship in Christ’s Kingdom (Colossians 1:13).  In effect, the Apostle Paul was not a Roman first, and then a Jew who also happened to be a Christian.  Rather, he was first and foremost a Jewish Christian—a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, along with what all that entails—who also happened to be a Roman citizen.

It seems that we American Christians have turned this upside down.  Our American Christian witness to the world seems to be saying this: We are first and foremost Americans!  We are Americans who happen to be Christians.  Hence, we are more concerned about America’s strength, power, and mastery over the world than we are about the Lordship of Christ.  We are more concerned about America’s wealth, riches, and resources than we are about spreading the Good News of Christ’s coming Kingdom rule with justice and righteousness.  And we are more concerned about American success, safety, and security than we are about spreading the hope of salvation in Christ around the world in contrast to the evils of war and hatred. 

In that sense, in terms of spirit, attitude, and purpose, how are extreme right wing Christian Americans any different than adherents and perpetrators to extreme radical Islam who want to see an Islamic State become master of the world?  Both extremes are driven by religious ideology, national pride, and a desire to maintain and sustain an earthly dominion of power and control and wealth in the name of their god.  In reality, neither of these groups give real thought or loyalty to the teachings and practices of Christ, ignoring the fact that Jesus’ very claim to BE Christ is a claim to be God’s ONLY truly Anointed One of God—that is, the One person God has chosen and ordained to be THE Ruler over all Humanity!