Many people view politics as this shady game that requires back alley deals and some dishonesty thrown in here and there. This isn’t the case. Take a look at Jesus. Some claim Jesus wasn’t involved in politics. Maybe not in the way politics is often practiced today. Jesus definitely wasn’t involved in the kind of political shenanigans that modern day Washington D.C. and K Street often practice. He didn’t win popularity by ensuring corporate welfare for big business and he didn’t go along to get along as some say. He didn’t rise to prominence by making promises he couldn’t fulfill. And Jesus wasn’t impressed or swayed by people who had a lot of personal wealth.
Obviously Jesus wasn’t involved in modern day politics as we know it. He wasn’t running for an election. But He was running a campaign if you consider a campaign to be reaching out to address and sway large numbers of people to your view(s). His campaign was to share the truth about His identity and mission: the Son of God sent to atone for the sins of the world.
Some critical person might say, “How dare you compare Christ’s ministry on earth to an earthly campaign” or “I can’t believe he is making this comparison.” For goodness sake, I know Jesus Christ’s ministry on earth is on an island all by itself when it comes to importance, but we can surely take some guiding principles from it, can’t we?
My point is this: Jesus was on a mission to convince the world that "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." When you consider that a big part of that message had to do with taking up a cross you can see it was a difficult message to sell. But sell it He did with great integrity and success.
Three Characteristics
To be a successful politician you need to be honest, smart and articulate. These three characteristics are sure to make you a convincing individual. Those three characteristics are both completed and perfected in Jesus.
First, Jesus was an honest man. This is obvious because He was sinless. In Matthew 7:12 He says, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Most of us know of this as the golden rule. Also, the ninth commandment in Exodus 20 says, “Thou shall not bear false witness.” Point being, we must have honesty and integrity in order to develop a campaign that is worth following. After all, don’t we want an elected official we can trust?
Second. Jesus was thoroughly wise. Throughout the bible wisdom is defined as the fear of the Lord. Thus a notable person must fear the Lord. In Luke 21:15 Jesus says, “for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Finally, no one was more articulate than Jesus. After all, we are still talking about what He said a couple thousand years after He said it. Can you imagine if a political candidate couldn’t effectively convey or defend his or her ideas? I can, John McCain comes to mind. Jesus on the other hand articulated his ideas effectively and in a way that made sense to everyone. He didn’t beat around the bush or just say what people wanted to hear. He spoke truth to a world that needed it.
What can we take?
We must equip ourselves with integrity and wisdom if we wish to govern or be governed by the same. Even if we don’t wish to run for office but choose to vote for someone to represent us, we must seek someone that is honest, smart, and articulate. If Jesus were running for election in 2016 he would definitely have my vote. He was honest, smart, and articulate. When voting for someone this upcoming primary and all the elections of 2016 what better way to choose than to vote for the candidate who models the characteristics of our Savior?
