In the first century, when Jesus lived and taught, the Jewish people were living under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire. The Jewish people were violently opposed to the Romans, a fact that resulted in more than a few violent uprisings that set out to liberate the nation of Israel. They did not succeed and eventually angered the Romans enough that they destroyed the country completely, exported its citizens all over the empire, and outlawed the Jewish faith in Israel entirely. This desire to be liberated seeped into the popular understanding of the Jewish faith. Most Jews at the time believed that the Messiah (a Hebrew word meaning God’s anointed one) would be a great military leader. Lots of folks came along claiming to be God’s messiah, only to die at the hands of the Roman military. When Jesus showed up, many people expected him to fall into this role. They expected him to lead an army and defeat their enemies. Even after the resurrection, some of his disciples asked him if he was going to restore Israel now. The truth of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus is that it took place to establish a different kind of kingdom. Jesus did not set out to win battles or defeat enemies. He was there to die, taking punishment for our sins. Then he rose again, demonstrating victory over death. Because of this, those of us who believe and follow him are forgiven and assured of life after death. Still, lots of folks wanted Jesus to vindicate their political position. They wanted him to establish an earthly kingdom where they would have authority and power. Instead, we are told that this world is not our home, and the greatest among us will be the least. It is easy to lose sight of this message in the era we are living in. Our culture tells us that political power is the most important kind of power. We are convinced that the best way to make the world a better place is through winning elections. The truth is that Jesus did eventually defeat the Roman Empire. Christianity changed the world through ordinary people loving and serving. They changed the hearts of those around them through the message of Jesus and lives lived imitating Christ. The modern church could learn a great lesson from this. We will do more for God’s kingdom by living out the teachings of Jesus in our own homes and neighborhoods than by ranting on Facebook about the political party we don’t like. I’m not saying that politics is totally irrelevant or that people shouldn’t vote. Rather, I am saying that Christians don’t change the world with the sword of state. Rather, we do it with the servant’s heart and the message of the gospel. In the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, God says that he will take his people’s hearts of stone and turn them into hearts of flesh. The truth is that hearts are not softened or changed through laws, campaigns, or slogans. They are changed by God’s Spirit, spread through his word and embodied in those who imitate Jesus. Folks who follow Jesus are sometimes still waiting for God to give them a great worldly victory. We aren’t called to do that. We are called to make disciples of all nations and baptize folks. If we put out heart and energy into that, we will change the world... even if it’s only the part of it that we occupy ourselves.
