The Politics of Jesus

The following post is reprinted from my 7 Day Devotions blog:

By now many of you have noticed the "Elect Jesus" signs that grace our front yard. I've had the chance to reflect a lot on these signs and the reaction of most people to them. Because many in our community are Christians, they have been well-received and probably come across as a bit less offensive than the signs for McCain or Obama. Who is not for Jesus? And herein lies the problem, for the politics of Jesus are far more offensive than whichever candidate we don't like. Jesus calls us to a far more radical politics than either the Democratic or Republican Parties. For the Carpenter from Nazareth commands us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us and a whole host of other radical things (Matthew 5-7).

And so as I contemplate taking down these signs sometime this week, I'm a bit saddened that they were so well-received, that they did not offend more people. For the Gospel that we proclaim is far more radical than most of us dare consider. And the Jesus whom we follow demands not just party allegiance, but every single ounce of our being. His way is the narrow way (Matthew 7:13-14).

In 1 Corinthians 1:23, St. Paul writes, "but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles." Indeed, the biggest scandal or stumbling block (skandalon in Greek) in the ancient world was the Cross.

My prayers go with you as you vote tomorrow. Perhaps Jesus' words in St. Matthew's gospel are instructive as we vote: Render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's (Matthew 22:21).

By the way, if you want one of those signs, go ahead and take one. I think we have a half dozen left. Thanks to Grace Lutheran Church in Elmore who printed them.