| Princes, Politicians and the Messiah
Before I went to seminary and was subsequently ordained as a Presbyterian minister, I had been a political science major at university. Back then, I intended to go to law school (which I actually did for a year) and then perhaps pursue a career in politics. I am incredibly glad that God had other plans for my life, but I still have some ideas about politics, mainly about the place of politics in American life…. In this election season, we are told by many secular and religious leaders that it is important to vote. Many people have given their lives for (among other things) our right to vote. To vote is our duty. But some of us who vote and who are active in politics may have a tendency to believe (as I once did) that political parties and political candidates will deliver us. As important as they are, I am convinced that they will never save us. In this political season I would like to share a scripture, Psalm 118:8-9, in three different translations. The New International Version translation says: “8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” The King James Version of verse 9 says: “ It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” The Contemporary English Version says: “8It is better to trust the LORD for protection than to trust anyone else, 9including strong leaders.” America doesn’t have kings and princes, but we do have senators, congressmen, supreme court justices, a president and a vice-president. All of them are mortals. All of them sin. None of them is God. I believe the Bible is crystal clear that it is better to trust in the Lord than it is to trust in them. My first job right out of college was working in a political campaign. Right then and there in a three-month period, I learned that it is a mistake to think that any politician is the Messiah. The job of Messiah is already taken. It will never be vacant again. After the political campaign ended my next job was to work as an administrative assistant with the legislature for an elected state official. When the legislature adjourned, my temporary job ended, and I wrote a poem which was published in the Raleigh News and Observer reflecting on the legislative session that had just ended. The poem concluded this way: “the summer is ended the harvest is past, and we are not saved.” (Jeremiah 8:20) After almost a year of working in politics, I now knew that while governments, politics, and political leaders are necessary, they will never save us. Don’t get me wrong. I have already exercised my right in Texas to vote early, and I voted for the men and women I thought were best. In most cases I had definite preferences. I hope I voted for the right people. I also pray that whichever candidates are elected, they will govern humbly and in dependence and obedience towards God. I hope that somehow they can be God-pleasers instead of merely people-pleasers (a hard job for any American politician.) But even though I have already voted, I knew for sure while I was voting that the Messiah wasn’t on the ballot. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords wasn’t on the ballot. The one whom I believe was slain and is risen and will judge kings, presidents, and princes –he wasn’t on the ballot! I feel it is crucial that we should not act as if any political leader or candidate were the Messiah. We should not expect any politician or elected leader to save us as only God can, just as we should not judge God by the imperfect actions of candidates who understand themselves to be following him. God’s Word says: “It is better to trust the LORD for protection than to trust anyone else, including strong leaders.”
Amen.
Winfield Casey Jones is pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Pearland, TX. and can be contacted at wrjones2002@yahoo.com. |
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