It is hard to ignore the similarities between the Jewish people during the Triumphal Entry and Christians today in the world of politics. The Jewish people were longing for the Messiah to come and take down the Roman Empire, to save them from oppression, to give them freedom…. not too far different from Christians today who are longing for a Republican to triumph over a Democrat to save us from all the evils that the political left stands for, so that we can fight for our “freedom”. How ironic that we are reading this in the middle of a political tipping point in our country. It is hard not to feel angry at all the things we see morally wrong in the world. It is hard not to feel upset when we see the danger in someone who stands for everything we as Christians should be against. But my question, coming from a friend that shall not be named, that I have for anyone reading this devotional: Are you allowing politics to inform your theology or are you allowing theology to inform your politics?
I personally feel Christians are missing the mark, this moment in time where we can maybe influence people around us. This may sound offensive—but I am saying this to say, how you go about handling your political views in the public arena is important. We should stand for what is morally right, but in doing so, are you showing love to people who believe opposite of you? It is important to fight for our freedom, but are you bashing and disparaging a whole people group that doesn’t agree with you? I don’t know anyone who has become a Believer because of someone’s politics, but I know many people who have turned away from Christ because of hateful rhetoric from Christians. This moment in time is VITAL—don’t miss the opportunity to influence people around you by being nearsighted in fighting people who disagree with you. Our mission on earth is to share the Good News, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, not triumph over our political enemies.
The Jewish people cried out as Jesus passed by on a donkey the famous words we learn as a kid with palm branches in our hands: “Hosanna!” This word Hosanna has many meanings: save us, give salvation now, deliver us. The Jewish people missed the mark thinking Jesus was coming to politically save them, are we putting a similar hope in our own political party? Politics won’t save us, but Jesus does. How you choose to represent Jesus in the heat of politics right now, certainly can impact people around you.
I won’t tell you who you should vote for, or what stances you should make, but I will tell you to be the hands and feet of Jesus as you express your opinions. I will leave you with one last thought. Recently my uncle died, 54 years old. He was an avid supporter of the political right. I privately expressed my disinterest in our current political choices, and he overheard. Infront of a group of 20+ people, some Christian, many not, he publicly berated me. I chose to calmly tell him you can believe what you want, and so can I…when that didn’t calm him down, I chose to disengage. This was my last conversation with him before he died. I regret this moment. I wish that I would have pointed him to Jesus. I wish that I had stood for Christ, and told him my hope is not a person, but Christ alone. It was a moment that I missed the mark.
Don’t miss the mark getting caught up in politics. This is the moment for you to say, “God save us from us!” “Lord Jesus Come!” Don’t miss the moment. Show people Christ in you, the hope you have in Jesus Christ, who alone can save us!
I personally feel Christians are missing the mark, this moment in time where we can maybe influence people around us. This may sound offensive—but I am saying this to say, how you go about handling your political views in the public arena is important. We should stand for what is morally right, but in doing so, are you showing love to people who believe opposite of you? It is important to fight for our freedom, but are you bashing and disparaging a whole people group that doesn’t agree with you? I don’t know anyone who has become a Believer because of someone’s politics, but I know many people who have turned away from Christ because of hateful rhetoric from Christians. This moment in time is VITAL—don’t miss the opportunity to influence people around you by being nearsighted in fighting people who disagree with you. Our mission on earth is to share the Good News, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, not triumph over our political enemies.
The Jewish people cried out as Jesus passed by on a donkey the famous words we learn as a kid with palm branches in our hands: “Hosanna!” This word Hosanna has many meanings: save us, give salvation now, deliver us. The Jewish people missed the mark thinking Jesus was coming to politically save them, are we putting a similar hope in our own political party? Politics won’t save us, but Jesus does. How you choose to represent Jesus in the heat of politics right now, certainly can impact people around you.
I won’t tell you who you should vote for, or what stances you should make, but I will tell you to be the hands and feet of Jesus as you express your opinions. I will leave you with one last thought. Recently my uncle died, 54 years old. He was an avid supporter of the political right. I privately expressed my disinterest in our current political choices, and he overheard. Infront of a group of 20+ people, some Christian, many not, he publicly berated me. I chose to calmly tell him you can believe what you want, and so can I…when that didn’t calm him down, I chose to disengage. This was my last conversation with him before he died. I regret this moment. I wish that I would have pointed him to Jesus. I wish that I had stood for Christ, and told him my hope is not a person, but Christ alone. It was a moment that I missed the mark.
Don’t miss the mark getting caught up in politics. This is the moment for you to say, “God save us from us!” “Lord Jesus Come!” Don’t miss the moment. Show people Christ in you, the hope you have in Jesus Christ, who alone can save us!