Jesus did many things and spoke on many subjects while walking on this earth. He addressed the religious authorities, cultural norms and misconceptions, interpretation of ancient scriptures, and much more. There is one thing that you do not ever see Jesus address which has become indispensable in the lives of so many Christians: politics.
Even though not everyone is a complete political junkie, it's hard to live a life in our society without feeling forced to take a political stand on any number of issues. If you wish to avoid politics, you can forget ever reading the news (local or otherwise) or social media. Even seemingly apolitical entertainment is layered with political undertones and, at times, overt political messaging. You just can't get away from it! What I find so funny about this is something I heard in a podcast series I've enjoyed over the last couple of years called "Tides of History" by Patrick Wyman (I highly recommend it). Patrick explained in a show about the rise of "the state" that for most of human history, populations have essentially sought to avoid their governments as much as possible. You were far more concerned with raising your crops or tending to your family's business than you were the affairs of the crown or the senate. The rise of the ever-present "government" is really an artifact of the last hundred years or so. The place we find ourselves today is not the norm; it is barely a blip in time where everyone feels an obligation to be concerned with the going-ons of a bunch of elites in DC.
When you consider this context, it's no wonder why Jesus didn't spend more time discussing the affairs of Caesar or Herod... he didn't care (and neither should you). Kings will come and go, but the glory of God will never change. Why, then, would Christ waste any of his time (and our time) lecturing us on our role in the political world? Why would Jesus spend any precious moments telling us the preferred way to impact something as fleeting as a man-made government?
When we look at the scriptural record, we can't find many instances of Christ or the apostles talking about "sticking it to the man". We do, however, see tons of instances like this...
Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:1-7)
The objective of a Christian's life is to love God and, by extension, to love others. That's it. The best a government can do is seek to be a cheap imitation of a virtuous and glorifying nation. Why, then, would we spend our lives focused so intently on propping up or shaping such a fundamentally flawed construct? Is God more glorified by a nation having Christian-sound laws, Christian-friendly policies, and Christian-enabling tax codes, or by a single soul who was once damned now being saved for all eternity?
I will go on record saying that I'd rather "my side" lose every election, lose every right, and lose every debate if it meant I could see another soul saved. In the scope of eternity, that soul will bring far more glory to God than all the kingdoms and governments of man combined. [The fact that many "good Christians" are so passionate about what a political commentator tells them is important while being so unconcerned with the works of love they could engage with in their own backyards speaks volumes.] God's work has always transcended generations, cultures, and governments and it will continue to do the same today regardless of what the Supreme Court rules, Congress enacts, or the President enforces.
Our God is greater in every single way. It's high-time that good Christians start prioritizing things in their lives like they believe it.
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