I can’t stop thinking about the storming of the Capitol. Of Christian nationalism. How we need Christian leaders and Christians in the pews who reject a love of power and instead do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
These Christians do exist. I know many. But I am praying God raises up more, who do not equate the way of Jesus with the right or the left but rather know Scripture and the heart of God and the way of the cross, who live in a way that transcends the false dichotomies of partisan politics.
When Jesus said to Pilate, a government leader, “My kingdom is not of this world,” he was not saying his kingdom had nothing to do with our physical bodies or daily concerns. Jesus’ healings and miracles—not to mention his very incarnation—show that this physical world is indeed important.
What he meant was that his kingdom was never instituted by earthly leaders, it never played by the rules of worldly kingdoms.
Jesus spent his earthly ministry showing that the Messiah would not come as a conquering king, but a suffering one. He didn’t make alliances with government leaders–he was crucified by them.
As my pastor compassionately said yesterday, “You know what about earthly power and privilege? Guess what? We don’t actually need it. We have a king.”
The kingdom of God is dependent on one man only and that is Jesus Christ. And that is good news.
There are people who have written much better on this than I can. So I wanted to share a few of them. Some of you may think these articles are too bold or not bold enough. That is okay. But I think these are important words for us to hear and reflect on.
What Place Did Jesus Have at the Capitol Hill Riot? by Sarah Stankorb
We Worship with the Magi, Not MAGA by Tish Harrison Warren
Truth over power: It is past time for the church to speak plainly about the election by Esau McCaulley
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