Why was Jesus not a political revolutionary? He could have overthrown the Roman Empire and set up a better state. It would have solved a lot of problems.
To be clear, Jesus was political. He was not partisan, meaning he did not advocate a particular political party, but he was political. Politics are just how we address communal issues in the polis, Greek for city. In his “city”, Jesus demanded better treatment for the poor and disabled. He protested religious and economic injustice. He proclaimed a Kingdom of Heaven over and against the Roman Empire. He was political. Then, at the height of his political power, as the Roman governor rode into Jerusalem on a warhorse flanked by soldiers, Jesus rode in on a donkey flanked by a motley crew. That was a political statement, but not a winning one. Soon we crucified him. Yet from the seeming defeat of the crucifixion came our greatest victory and the mission of the church.
As United Methodists, we summarize the mission this way: “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Politics can transform the world towards God’s desires because politics can address problems too large for individuals. Even though Jesus never created a new worldly state or reformed the government, United Methodists believe political engagement is a worthy calling for anyone following in Jesus’ footsteps. So why was Jesus not a political revolutionary?
We’ll never fully know, but here is my thought. I am someone who always wants to make things better. In high school, I was elected to lead our Boy Scout troop and started trying to improve it. This may seem like a trivial example, but it is what I have seen in all my groups since. I recognized people were fallible, so I thought the way to make things better was with perfect systems. Systems, I thought, did not need to rely on exceptional people as many groups do.
I learned systems, like politics, are good and necessary, but relationships are better. What really produces change are relationships. Faulty systems are overpowered by good relationships and good relationships fuel good systems. Good relationships produce exceptional people ready to serve and sacrifice for the good of the community. The best systems are designed around those people’s unique skills. The best change comes from the bottom up, not the top down.
Whether you are in triumph or despair after the election, I believe this is true: the transformation Jesus calls us to comes from the bottom up. Politics can help, but the true transformation of the world comes from the love of Christ transforming us and our communities through relationships. The love of Christ in the relationships of the church is more powerful than anyone who sits in the Oval Office. Two thousand years ago, it was not the emperor in Rome who transformed the world for God. It was the One hanging on a cross, and the ones who followed him. They held no political power, but God transformed the world through their love.
That love of Christ is alive in FUMC Frisco because God taught us to love through conflict. Whether you are in triumph or despair, the community around us is lonely, afraid, and divided. God did not cause the suffering in our church over the past few years. However, through that conflict God transformed us into a church our community needs because we can love through conflict.
If you know people hurting and struggling to hope we can come through this period of division, feel free to share this with them. They are not alone. There is a church in Frisco prepared to heal from the past and walk into the future loving through even the most bitter conflict. And we have a place ready for them, ready for anyone willing to love through conflict. I am beyond proud to serve a church with that mission and I look forward to the work God has prepared for us.
Blessings,
Pastor Luke