Jesus for President! (or NOT)
I saw a bumper sticker today that said “Jesus for President ‘24.” Although I appreciate the sentiments behind this statement, it still bothers me. So you might as well pull up a chair and sit down… I’m stepping up on my soapbox for this one.
Number one:
(when I get riled up about something, I start numbering my points on my fingers as I talk, so here we go…)
Jesus is already LORD. This means that he doesn’t need our nomination, endorsement or vote for the lowly office of President of the United States. In fact, it would be degrading for the LORD of Lords and the KING of Kings to even consider stooping to such. He’s already busy governing and sustaining the entire universe.
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul explains it this way:
“All things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Col 1:16-17)
He’s kinda a big deal, and compared to Him, the president isn’t.
Number two:
Jesus isn’t running for president. In fact, he’s not campaigning at all. His position is already set and his throne already assumed. He’s not chasing votes or sweet-talking voters. He has no need for a campaign manager, a fundraising committee, or a speech writer. You won’t see him beating the campaign trail, speaking at rallies or making empty promises. You see, Jesus is quietly content and completely confident in His position.
And us? He doesn’t need us or our votes.
During his sermon in Athens, Paul explained, “The God who made this world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth, and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath” (Acts 17:24-25)
Unlike today’s presidential candidates, Jesus’s victory doesn’t hinge on how many people like him. He isn’t concerned about the latest popularity polls. He doesn’t derive his worth from others’ opinions of Him, and He doesn’t feel the need to persuade or push.
Instead, Jesus offers love and life and leaves it up for us to decide.
He knocks and invites us to open the door. (Rev 3:20)
He encourages us to ask so He can answer. (Matt 7:7-8)
He invites us to seek so we will find. (Jer 29:13)
He tells us to taste His goodness so He can satisfy our hearts. (Ps 34:8)
He offers Himself and lets us choose. (Jos 24:15)
Jesus is persistent, but He’s not pushy.
He is devoted, but he’s not desperate.
He doesn’t need our votes, but He does want our hearts.
Number three:
Let’s please not mix Jesus with American politics.
To start with, Jesus’ rule extends much further than just America; His reign covers every nation and people group and individual in the world. It’s a bit egocentric of us Americans to pretend to nominate Him for such a narrow, limited job.
Plus, Jesus himself reminded us that heaven and earth are two distinct domains when he said, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17).
Yes, Christians should stand for Biblical values. Yes, believers should vote. Yes, the Bible and our faith should inform how we vote. But let’s remember that we’re voting for a national leader, not a Savior. The Jews in Jesus’ time got this confused and were sorely disappointed when the messiah in their midst wasn’t interested in challenging the political powers in their society.
Let’s not look to a human on earth to bring us the comforts and riches of Heaven. And let’s not presumptuously invite Jesus, the King of Heaven, to be in charge of a negligible nation on earth like He isn’t already.
The truth is, neither candidate on the ballot this November can save your soul (and…dare I say it?... neither wants to). Neither candidate can even save this nation, mainly because the majority of our problems stem from sin. And rescue from sin requires a Savior, not a president.
In Colossians, Paul writes, “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins (Col 1:13).” Only Jesus can save us from our sin and set our people, families, and nation (and world!) aright.
So here’s the bad news: a human president can’t fix a God-sized sin problem.
Here’s the good news: Jesus already has the solution. And… SHOCKER!... he did it all without our nomination, endorsement, or vote.
So before I step down from my soapbox, let’s review:
Jesus isn’t running for president of this nation. He’s already ruler of the world.
Jesus doesn’t need our vote. He already has God’s.
Jesus isn’t our president. He’s our sacrifice. Our Savior. Our Sustainer. Our Lord.
He doesn’t want or need our vote. He wants our surrender.
