In first-century Palestine, the people of Judea and Galilee fudged and hedged on the proclamation of the Reign of God. Jesus announced that the old era was done, that a new age had dawned, and the only appropriate response was to be captivated with joy and wonder.
His listeners did not say, "Yes, Rabbi, we believe You," or "No, Rabbi, we think you are a fool." Rather they said, "What about the sap-suckin' Romans?" or "When are you going to produce an apocalyptic sign?" or "Why aren't You and Your disciples within the Jewish Law?" or "Whose side do you take in the various legal controversies?"
Jesus replied that the Romans were not the issue, and in the face of that revelation, the Romans and the Torah were secondary. But His audience stubbornly refused to concede that the Torah could possibly be secondary or that the Roman domination of Palestine could be marginal. The Torah and Rome - these were the relevant issues, the gut problems. "What do You have to say about them, Rabbi?"
Once again Jesus responded that He did not come to discuss the Law nor to challenge the Roman Empire. He had come to herald the Good News that the Really Real is love and to invite men and women to a joyous response to that love.
In the first chapter of Acts, Jesus has risen from the dead. He has walked among His disciples and they have seen first hand the awe-inspiring power of the Almighty God. They have tasted the sweet truth that death has been conquered and this life is not the end. They have glimpsed our great, eternal hope. And as He prepares to ascend into heaven before their eyes, He asks them to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to fall on them, for the church to be birthed, for His power to be unleashed upon the Earth. And they ask "Lord, at this time will you drive out Rome and restore Israel?"
They still had no clue what Jesus was actually trying to do. They didn't realize that His kingdom transcended this fragile, finite world. It is greater and more incomprehensible than any government or tyrant. Frankly, He didn't care one bit about Rome in light of the revelation of His love and redemption. His salvation, His kingdom - that's where He wanted their focus.
If you know anything about the early history of the church, or the history of the first through third centuries in general, you know that Christians were persecuted and martyred under the rule of the Roman Empire. The Jews had a very good reason for believing their Messiah was coming to drive out the Romans. They had legitimate grounds to be concerned. And that's why they couldn't understand Jesus' apparent disregard for those concerns. He seemed entirely unfazed by the coming persecution of the Romans. Maybe because He knew that death was not the end? Maybe because He and He alone understood that the Kingdom of God was the only Kingdom worthy of His time and energy? Maybe because His purpose was greater? The Good News, the Message of the Cross - it transcended any earthly concern.
Today I read an article that claimed if I did not vote for Trump, I would not be held guiltless before God for my part in allowing Hillary to come to power. Really? I am supposed to believe some guilt will be on me for that? I am supposed to believe it even matters who is president? What's four years in the grand scheme of history? The Romans spent almost 300 years persecuting the Christian church, and we are afraid of what will happen in the next four? I will not carry guilt or blame based on my vote - or lack thereof - and neither will you! To be completely honest, I don't think God cares one bit who you vote for, because in light of the revelation of His love and redemption, it's still secondary. The scope of His vision is far beyond our country or our current situation. His purpose and call are the same as they were when Jesus walked this Earth: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."
Here we sit squabbling over who will be our next president, throwing hateful words and declaring "God's candidate", and all the while Jesus says tenderly, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." He looks down on us, as we still can't see the full breadth of His plan, as we still cling futilely to the belief that He came to establish an earthly kingdom, and He whispers, "Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and the prisoner. Set loose the captive and declare the Good News of the Gospel!" We say, "But, Rabbi, who do we vote for? What do we do about homosexuals in churches? How do we defend our Christian values in a secular world?" And He takes a breath, and with out the frustration you and I would have accrued after generations of the same silly questions, He says, "Be still, and know that I am God," and "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."
Because that is what is relevant. That is what is important. Vote. Or don't. Do what you feel you must, but remember that this is not what matters most. Keep your faith in the One who truly matters.. Keep your eyes always on His kingdom, because earthly kingdoms come and go, they rise and fall, but His kingdom alone is eternal. His kingdom is the only one truly worth our time and energy. So listen for His voice - but don't be surprised if it isn't talking about which candidate you should endorse. It might say something about loving your neighbor, or reaching for the lost. It might say "Feed my sheep," or "Care for the widows and orphans," but I doubt it will say anything about the ruling body of a fallen world save this:
"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1
I'm turning comments of for this post. It's a statement, not an invitation to debate. Thanks for understanding!
