The Politics of Jesus
November 3, 2024
Scriptures: Ruth 1:1-18, Mark 12:28-34
I know that there are those who are strongly opposed to mixing religion and politics whatsoever. In fact, the doctrine of ‘Separation of Church and State’ in America has long been viewed as essential to the functioning of a stable democratic society. And to be honest, and in line with that, I personally think that the political radicalization of portions of pretty much all of the major faiths, including Christianity, poses a significant problem, and seems to be a primary hindrance to building true and loving community.
That said, a solid argument can be made that the mission and ministry of Jesus was both radical and extremely political, from the very start, all the way to Calvary. Much if not all of Jesus’ teachings were forcefully aimed at, and spoken out against the political establishments of his day, including both the Roman Empire, as well as their puppet Jewish Temple hierarchy who were tasked with keeping the Hebrew people firmly in line with the deeply oppressive dictates and laws of Roman life and society.
However, it is true as well that while Jesus was extremely political in his words and actions on behalf of the poor and sorely oppressed, he was not partisan whatsoever. He was not at all about competing ideologies regarding various social issues or degrees of focus on various ‘freedoms, but rather was laser focused on the injustice and inequity found whenever there is a class or grouping of people viewed as ‘less than’, and, who are therefore subservient to a more powerful ruling class. Jesus spoke of, and lived a life of ‘serving the least of those among us’. For in truth, that was both his call, and the desire of God.
Extreme partisanship, such as that found in our time only supports very limited and particular points of view, many of which are not at all intended to bring about a more just, inclusive, or loving society. In fact, I would argue that it is this warped sense of ‘faith-based activism’ around particular social issues fully unrelated to justice that is at the root of the illness so plaguing our life and society at this moment in time.
Contrary to the political partisanship we see today, real, faith-driven and gospel-directed political action or activism on behalf of those abused, oppressed, or marginalized both at home and across the world is in fact the solemn call and responsibility of all who profess to follow Jesus as he is revealed in the gospel accounts. ‘Radical partisanship’ which so often finds its energy and drive in fear rather than hope, and which serves to divide and fracture, thereby eliminating or prohibiting true community, is not religion or ‘faithful’ at all. And it is also not at all in line with our readings today, or in fact with the words of Jesus.
I have thought for a long time about what I would share with you all today. For it seems we truly are at an inflection point, a tipping point in our life together as a functioning society heretofore tasked with holding forth a light and a beacon of hope. A small ‘d’ democratic ‘experiment’ if you will, there for all the world to look upon and aspire to imitate, as at least a close resemblance of what a just and peaceful society founded on true freedom might look like. Over the last decade or so however, it seems we have lost our way a bit, and have lapsed into extreme positions both in our religion and in our politics. Positions which have served to divide and fracture many of the norms and beliefs we have relied upon for many years, some, from the very founding of our nation.
And in just two days we will all have the opportunity to exercise one of our greatest rights as a free nation – the right to go to the polls and cast our vote for whatever future we believe in and hope for. Now, as an independent, I would never counsel you to vote for one candidate over another, for I truly believe that decision belongs to the voter alone. However, as a pastor, tasked with working with all of you to reveal the kingdom, or ‘kin-dom’ of God among us if you will, I can only ask that you consider the words and actions of our Lord when deciding whom you will vote for.
As a church we have been extremely blessed by the Holy Spirit. Every work of ministry we have engaged in in seeking to serve our community, in seeking to truly love one another as our gospel reading today instructs, every one of our efforts has been blessed with the resources and energy, the talent and enthusiasm to enable us to be a strong force of grace and hope within our community.
We are seen by others as a church which ‘stands in contrast’ to the fear and hopelessness so pervasive in our society today. And that is solely because we have sought to love, rather than to hate, to hope, rather than to fear, to lift up, rather than to break down, to embrace, rather than to push away.
What we do, who we are, how we are seen, stands against the fear and hopelessness in the greater society. In fact, what God was brought about here…in this small little church, has been made possible only because we chose to believe in the promises found in our faith, because we chose to try to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our strength…and our every neighbor as well.
Our psalmist today tells us that ‘God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them…(brings about) justice for the oppressed…gives food to the hungry…sets the prisoners free…opens the eyes of the blind…lifts up those who are bowed down…loves the righteous…watches over…strangers…(and) upholds the orphan and the widow’.
And Matthew, in Chapter 25 of his gospel account informs our faith and practice here when Jesus echoes the psalmist as he reminds us to ‘feed the hungry, to give those who thirst something to drink, to welcome the stranger, to clothe the naked, and to visit when sick or in prison…for in doing so, we are doing it as unto the Lord himself.
Let us each remember these examples of how we are called to live our lives for one another…of how we are called to live our lives as reflections of God’s mercy and grace…to live our lives as true and faithful stewards of our faith on Tuesday.
But even more so, let us remember that regardless of the outcome of the elections, regardless of which party prevails, we are still called to build community, to care for one another, and to seek to continue to shine brightly in our community with the light of hope and promise in the knowledge that God still is very much here among us, and, that our work as Christians, is far from done.
In closing I would like to recall the Prayer of Saint Francis, which I modified slightly years ago, for in some way I feel it speaks profoundly to this moment…
Lord, make us all an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, let us offer care and assistance; where there is doubt, let us reveal our own deep faith; where there is despair, let us be a light of hope; where there is darkness, may we be a bright and shining light; where there is sadness, let us always seek to bring joy.
O divine Master and Lord, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled…as to console another, or to be understood…as to understand, or to be loved…as to love others with all our hearts.
For we know and we believe that it is in giving that we ourselves receive, that it is in forgiving that we ourselves are forgiven…and that it is in dying to ourselves…that we are fully and finally born to eternal life…amen
