Information Related to "Could Jesus Christ Be Elected President?"
| Audio/Video |
Could Jesus Christ Be Elected to the White House?
Jesus Christ remains one of the most respected leaders-as well as one of the most controversial- the world has ever known. Most people acknowledge He was good; many believe He was a great man. If He were on earth today, a fascinating question to ponder is whether the American people would ever elect Him to be president of the United States.
The question isn't that far-fetched. After all, He said He was destined to rule the Kingdom of God, bearing authority over the earth. The Bible calls Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
So could He be a successful president?
The short-and possibly surprising answer-is no. Americans would not tolerate Jesus of Nazareth in the White House.
We can reach no other conclusion when we examine the electoral process and the priorities the American people use in selecting their president and contrast that to the platform Jesus would advocate. Americans want religious freedom (or freedom from religion), freedom of choice to select abortion for unwanted pregnancies and freedom to enjoy entertainment-including films, music, books and television drenched with violence and sex-for its pleasurable diversions. Many Americans demand unrestrained sexual freedom between consenting adults. They want and fully expect unhindered and total freedom of speech.
How would His platform be received?
What Christ's platform would be, and how that would impact the American voter, is easily discernible from His teachings. After all, the Bible says Jesus is "the same, yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). Read the Bible and you will know His platform.
For example, Jesus advocated that the Ten Commandments be universally taught and kept as the standard for human behavior. "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill ... Whoever does and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:17,19).
There go the atheist vote, agnostic vote and, oddly enough, much of the Christian vote-at least from those who believe the Ten Commandments are too invasive when it comes to their personal freedoms.
After all, the First Commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me," would be considered a major violation of religious freedom. A large percentage of the electorate would believe the commandments and law of God force a breakdown of the separation of church and state. "If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17)-Christ's position on the Ten Commandments-would be an affront to those who believe that grace does away with the binding nature of the Commandments.
Another factor is that Jesus was Jewish, a member of an ethnic minority against which there is still considerable prejudice in America. Jesus' customs and teachings would appear far too Jewish for most voters, including most Christian voters. For example, He kept the Passover (and told His followers to follow His example) and never observed Christmas, Easter or any other nonbiblical practices condemned by the law of God, which He upheld.
Jesus also kept the biblical Sabbath (from Friday evening until Saturday evening) by abstaining from physical work during that period. He even said, "I am Lord of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). His faithful Sabbath observance would offend many of those who choose to observe Sunday instead.
Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, so He would offend the vast majority of Jewish voters who would consider this claim blasphemous. Many others would say he was mentally ill, egomaniacal and too emotionally or psychologically unstable to trust with governing the nation.
What kind of leader would He be?
Ironically, Jesus' teachings and practices are the same factors that would make Him a perfect leader. His perfect integrity, compassion, miraculous powers of healing, love for all and willingness to die for the sins of mankind-including people of every race, religion and economic status-set Him apart.
Jesus is the ultimate model of leadership, uncompromising but compassionate. With perfect ethics, Jesus taught equality of opportunity, fairness and concern for the well-being of all, demonstrating virtue and truthfulness in every action. He taught the value of the family, said marriage was inviolable and directed that we should honor and care for our elderly and the disadvantaged.
Jesus-though perfect in His leadership-would never be elected to the White House.
Christ, you see, would never run for the office. He would never attack others for self-promotion. He would not compromise the truth or His ethics and values. He would not curry the favor of special interests in exchange for campaign donations. We must remember that He said He is not interested in exercising worldly political power in this age: "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight,... but now My kingdom is not from here" (John 18:36).
Destined for a higher office
We should have no regrets that Jesus of Nazareth will never be elected president of the United States or any other nation of this world.
He has, after all, already been selected for an infinitely higher office.
He serves in heaven as the High Priest for truly converted Christians. He promises to return as earth's ruler, under His Father, who will take the reins of all authority when mankind needs God's intervention to save us from the corruption and collapse of human leadership.
As Jesus told the Roman governor Pontius Pilate: "You say rightly that I am a King. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice" (John 18:37).
The message of the Bible is that we cannot rightly rule ourselves. We need a perfect ruler who has demonstrated ultimate love and concern for others. Jesus Christ has perfectly qualified. He is alive. He will be that ruler. He said that all who are of the truth will hear what He says.
Are you listening? Does He get your support?
© 2000-2022 United Church of God, an International Association
Related Information:
Sidebar to Where Have All the Leaders Gone?
Table of Contents that includes "Could Jesus Christ Be Elected President?"
Other Articles by Howard Davis
Origin of article "Could Jesus Christ Be Elected President?"
Keywords: ten commandments freedom Jesus as president Jesus as ruler government, divine god, government of Christ's rulership leadership
Jesus' future rule: