Several years ago, a pastor from a nation in Africa told me about politics in his country. He said the political groups are divided not only by political differences, but they are also from different tribes. Their tribal heritages go back many centuries, and these deep loyalties to their own tribe and their age-old conflicts with other tribes, add great complexity to the political process in a nation trying to form a democracy. They were trying to emerge from many centuries of a dictator king, followed by twenty years of an oppressive communist government. Now, they are trying to form a democracy, but it is difficult, he said. He added that in some African nations, like Rwanda, these tribal differences have erupted into violence with terrible results. Then he said, “It is so much better here in the United States, where even if you belong to different political parties and have huge political differences, you can still get along as friends and neighbors.”
Yes, I thought, that is good when we can do that, but it is clear that such good will is fast disappearing. It seems every election becomes more divisive and angrier, with very strong opinions and plenty of bad feelings on both sides. Political news and commentary have, on most programs, become a form of entertainment; and to keep the ratings high, the newscasters and commentators have become very one-sided, often exaggerating the worst aspects of the opposition. They go out of their way to become negative and controversial. I used to like to discuss politics, but I don’t enjoy it anymore because it has become so difficult to have a friendly discussion over differences of opinion. (seen on a coffee cup: “I miss the good old days when you could actually have an opinion without offending someone.”) Discussions have become so much more negative, emotional, and even bitter. We are in danger of losing what my African friend admired about us: our ability to live together with peace and good will in a free and open and democratic society.
A while ago, I read a poem that gives a wise perspective on these things. I did not keep it, so I cannot quote it exactly, but I can give you the gist of it. The setting was in Ireland, and the Irish had just won their independence from the rule of the English. There was a big parade and everybody was cheering the freedom fighters who were about to take over as the new leaders. But included in the poem were a few words from one common laboring man to another. “Well, my friend,” he said, “we can cheer all we want today, but tomorrow it will be back to breaking stones for us, won’t it?” He was saying that even though the English were out of power, and the Irish had self-rule, day-to-day life for the laboring man would go on pretty much the same. Yes, it is important to vote, and yes, good leaders and good government are very important; but it is a mistake to attach any sort of ultimate value to such a thing as politics. As the Bible says in Psalm 118: “It is better to rely on the Lord, than to put your trust in rulers.”
Christians look to Christ as our ultimate ruler and the one on whom to depend for our deepest hopes and dreams. For all the hype and all the energy and all the strong feelings that go into the election process, the political process is always flawed and frustrating. There is no way that all the promises can be kept, and each election brings great disappointment; certainly, to the losers, but also, always, to those who are victorious.
In Luke 23:33-43 Jesus is proclaimed King of the Jews. But that proclamation was made on the cross. There was a sign nailed up over Jesus’ head on the cross which said “This is the King of the Jews.” It was put there by Pilate, perhaps to mock Jesus, perhaps to irritate the Jewish leaders, and perhaps for both reasons. But for whatever reason, it was there for everyone to see and make fun of– which they did. The soldiers saw it and said, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” It certainly looked like more of a joke than anything else. Kings have power, but Jesus did not seem to have any power at all. Rather, he was being executed by those who had the power.
Yet, those who were listening to what Jesus was saying from the cross heard a man who looked like he was very much in charge, even from there. Pilate and the religious leaders had put Jesus on trial that very day, as if they had the power to be judge over him. They had sentenced him to death. But then, from the cross, it was Jesus who did the real judging; and in his very first words from the cross, he declared them all guilty. The judgment was made indirectly, for you have to be guilty before you need forgiveness; and the first words of Jesus from the cross were, “Father, forgive them, for they know do not know what they are doing.”
One of the criminals on a cross next to Jesus was so impressed by that prayer that he became a believer in this King who could rule even from a cross. With great faith, that thief said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Jesus, speaking of that ‘other Kingdom,’ not of this world, replied, “I tell you the truth, today you shall be with me in paradise.”
Month after month in the campaign we hear from the candidates all sorts of promises about cleaner government, fairer taxes, better health care, a safer world, better education, a stronger economy, and so much more. Those are all important matters, and I hope for the best. But most of all, I want a King in my life who can do for me what Jesus did for that thief, promising him on his dying day that he would be all right, and that Jesus would keep him safe, in paradise, for all eternity. That would have looked impossible that day; but Jesus proved to everyone that he would be able to keep such a promise when, on the third day he rose from the dead.
Pilate and Caiaphas and Annas and all the others who seemed to have the power on that weekend when Jesus went to the cross, all passed from the scene rather quickly after that. But Jesus, who they thought they were eliminating, is still the King of all creation. (continued…)
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