Politics and Jesus

With the 2024 election upon us, political discourse is at an all-time fervor. It’s easy, and I say this from my own personal experience, to get caught up in the us-versus-them mentality that saturates the modern political landscape. For Americans, there seem to be so many fundamental issues at stake, and for the Christian, it is easy to forget that we are citizens of God’s Kingdom first and Americans second. It is my prayer that this post rings as true for you as it does for me.

Jesus and Politics: A Higher Calling

It’s easy to think that Jesus would take a side in our political debates. We often hear Christians on both sides of the aisle claiming that Jesus would be marching alongside them, defending their political views. But the truth is, Jesus doesn’t fit neatly into our political categories. In fact, Jesus likely wouldn’t take sides at all. Instead, he calls us to something higher.

The Problem with Political Tribalism

Today, politics is highly emotional. When someone disagrees with us, we often label them with harsh words: “They must be lazy, spoiled, or worse, they’re working for the devil!” But this kind of thinking is exactly what Jesus calls us away from. When we fall into the trap of political tribalism, demonizing the other side instead of trying to understand their perspective—we aren’t following Jesus’ example. Instead, we’re allowing our political identities to take over, forgetting one of Jesus’ greatest commandments: to love one another.

This doesn’t mean we can’t have political views or stand for what we believe is right. But when our politics become a reason to hate, vilify, or dismiss others, we’ve missed the point. Jesus didn’t come to support one political agenda or another, he came to transform hearts and bring reconciliation.

Jesus Avoided Political Entanglement

When we look at Jesus’ life and ministry, we see that he avoided getting involved in the political issues of his day. He lived under Roman rule, a government known for its cruelty and oppression, but we don’t see Jesus leading a political movement to overthrow them. In Luke 13, when people told him about Pontius Pilate’s brutal massacre of Galileans, Jesus didn’t demand justice or incite protests. Instead, he called everyone to repent, reminding them that we are all sinners.

This response may seem strange at first. Why didn’t Jesus’ call for action against Pilate’s injustice? The answer is that Jesus knew political action alone wouldn’t solve the deeper issue. The real problem isn’t corrupt governments or unjust rulers, the root problem is the sin in every human heart. And no amount of political reform can fix that. Jesus focused on what mattered most: calling people to repentance and love.

A Different Kind of Revolution

If Jesus had led a political revolt against Rome, it might have brought temporary change, but it wouldn’t have addressed the heart of the issue. Instead, Jesus brought about a different kind of revolution, a revolution of love. He taught his followers to forgive, to love their enemies, and to serve others selflessly. This wasn’t the kind of revolution people expected, but it was the one the world needed.

Jesus’ message wasn’t about changing the world through politics. It was about changing the world one heart at a time. And that change starts with us. If we want to see true transformation in our society, we need to follow Jesus’ example: love, forgiveness, and grace must come first.

Politics Isn’t the Answer—The Gospel Is

As Christians, it’s easy to get caught up in the political battles of the day. We want to fight for justice, defend the oppressed, and stand for truth, and that’s not wrong. But we need to remember that our ultimate hope isn’t in any political system. Christianity isn’t about establishing a perfect government or enforcing the right policies. It’s about spreading the Gospel and transforming lives.

The truth is, Christianity can thrive in any political environment, whether it’s under a democracy, monarchy, or dictatorship. The Gospel isn’t dependent on our political structures. Jesus’ command to “go into all the world and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) applies no matter what kind of government we live under.

So, if your political aspirations collapse or if your preferred policies aren’t implemented, it’s not the end of the world. The Gospel still moves forward. Our identity as Christians should not be wrapped up in our political ideologies. Our identity is in Christ, and our mission is to share his love with the world.

Love Before Politics

One of the hardest things for us to do in today’s polarized world is to love those we disagree with. But this is exactly what Jesus calls us to do. Even if someone holds a political view that you believe is wrong, even if they are supporting policies that you think are harmful, you are called to love them. Remember that Christ died for us while we were still his enemies (Romans 5:8). In the same way, we are called to love our political opponents, not hate them.

This doesn’t mean we have to agree with them. But we must never forget that people on the other side of the political aisle are not our enemies, they are people created in the image of God, just like us. They have their own perspectives, their own experiences, and their own concerns. And just like us, they need the love and grace of Jesus.

Conclusion: The Gospel Comes First

At the end of the day, politics is temporary, but the Gospel is eternal. Jesus didn’t come to establish a political kingdom; he came to establish the Kingdom of God. That kingdom isn’t built on policies or laws, it’s built on love, grace, and forgiveness.

So, the next time you find yourself getting caught up in the political debates of the day, remember this: Jesus wouldn’t take sides. He calls us to something higher, to love our neighbors, to forgive our enemies, and to share the good news of the Gospel. Politics will come and go, but the message of Christ is forever. Let’s make sure we’re standing with him, not just with our political tribe.