Politics Part 3

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world." —John 18:36

With the presidential debates coming, the American public hovers around the candidates with fierce interest. If we already have a leaning, it will be easy to love and defend our candidate while despising the opponent, whose every error will be magnified to stupendous proportions.

Media forecasters expect larger-than-Super-Bowl audiences, so the pressure is really on. Now is the time we need to keep our worst instincts at bay. Like sharks circling, smelling blood in the water, or like vultures hovering above a kill, American audiences have learned the not-so-fine art of scavenging. Like spectators at a live taping of the Jerry Springer Show, the American public appears ready to indulge itself in the a deep ugliness of humiliation. By far, the worst part of such shows is not the witless subjects (who have been promised free dental work for their appearances), but the crowds, who have free license to  hate and humiliate whoever is onstage with shouts of “Jer-ry! Jer-ry! Jer-ry!” as if in thanks for having provided them fresh meat to openly abuse.

The debates seem to be heading toward Springer at a disturbing pace. While none of us are responsible for the debates—we will neither host them nor be in attendance—we will watch them on TV and comment to our beloved family and friends about them. Just a gentle reminder: remember that your witness to Christ is affected by your comments. Let’s not lower ourselves too far.

Nineteen centuries ago, the Springer Show was equally popular. Crowds gathered to laugh, squeal, scream and angrily debase their subjects, only it wasn’t on TV; it was in the Coliseum. The subjects in the center ring were helpless. They were unarmed and expected to defend themselves—hands tied—against soldiers with spears and full armor. The people laughed and pointed gleefully at them, knowing they were going to see someone utterly humiliated. Wild lions or bears were brought out. “Good luck!” cried the crowd. The subjects were citizens not of Rome, but of another kingdom—the same kingdom referenced in the verse above (John 18:36).

At some point, someone or someones of conscience must look at the scene and say, “Enough—we’re better than this!” 

As we head into the final stretch of the 2016 presidential elections, let’s remember that the words that come from our mouths—as important or right as they may be—matter far less than our attitudes, which others will see between the lines of our speech.

Let’s let our witness reflect well on our citizenship in that kingdom that Pontius Pilate, Caesar, and all the kings, queens and presidents of history need to acknowledge for their salvation. Forget the idea of any candidate saving us or America, because we know that the only salvation for America, its people, and the world comes from one source alone, and his kingdom has no end.\