Who Would Jesus Vote For?

Only 19 days until the election and a question has come to my mind. Who would Jesus vote for?

Every Republican knows that Jesus would be too conservative to vote for Obama. And every Democrat knows that Jesus would be too open-minded to vote for Romney. And then there is the most popular third party candidate Gary Johnson, but Jesus doesn't really want to throw his vote away does he?

How would Jesus vote?

I don't think he would.

Does that bother you? Before you get your bipartisan boxer briefs in a wad, you need to know something. Jesus was not and is not American. And if your Jesus is American, then you aren't following after the Jesus found in the Bible.

During Jesus' day he refused to play politics with Rome or Israel, even though he was no stranger to the hierarchy. Just think about his last few hours before he was crucified. He had plenty of time to hang out with the people in charge. He had plenty of time to influence them, but he didn't go after their policy or their ruling.

Jesus had no earthly political agenda.

This doesn't mean he didn't care about politics. When the rich young ruler comes to him in Matthew 19, he tells him to sell everything, give it to the poor, and follow after him. He definitely doesn't mind influencing political figures or those who have influence, if they will abandon all and follow after him. But this was about relationship with the individual, not Jesus trying push his power.

This doesn't seem the case for our two candidates. Don't get me wrong, Romney seems to be an upstanding moral individual but he isn't Christian. And I have never heard Obama proclaim Christ for himself even though I know he cares about people (in no way am I implying that he is a Muslim).

Unfortunately, neither candidate takes the position of the true leader that Jesus taught about in the gospels. Jesus told his disciples who were arguing for an earthly position that if you want to be first than you had to be servant of all...that you have to be last. Neither candidate seems to embrace this, but don't tell them this or they'll fight to get to the back of the line.

So while I don't believe Jesus would have voted, should you? Yes...maybe.

Jesus didn't live in a democratic society, even though everyone stood against him on his trial with Pilate seemed to have a vote. But if you are a well informed voter you should because I truly believe this is one way that you can love your neighbor. However, realize that there isn't a perfect candidate in this race.

The maybe side, if you don't vote you should know why. You should be able to tell people why you do not vote. Everything you do should have a purpose. If you are a political reformer showing others that you don't vote because you believe it's a crooked system, awesome! Just be able to tell that. More importantly Christian, be able to communicate that in love and hope. I have no problem with that because our hope isn't found in a political party it's found in Jesus Christ and reveal in our churches.

Or maybe you don't want to vote for one of the lesser of the bad candidates (if that is your opinion), so you go to the polls, but you don't vote for all the offices. Maybe you cast a votes in the local and state governments, but when it comes to the president or a senator you choose not to leaving it blank. But once again, this is going to come from being well-informed on the issue and in the spirit of love.

Do you see a theme here? However you vote or don't vote Christian, know why and do it in love.