Jesus did not take sides in politics

Throughout the world, many people who claim to follow Jesus Christ are deeply involved in politics.

Some try to promote their religious and moral values by supporting particular candidates or political parties.

In turn, politicians often use moral or social issues to win the support of religious people. It is not uncommon for religious leaders to run for political office and in some countries a “Christian” denomination may even occupy a special status as a state, or national religion.

What do you think? Followers of Jesus look to his example (John 13:15 – in part “I set the pattern for you”) when it comes to politics.

Jesus did not take sides on political issues. In Jesus’ day the Jews resented paying taxes to the Roman government and viewed these as an unjust burden.

Jesus did not take sides on the issue or enter into a political debate even but told them “Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God” (Mark 12:13-17)

He remained neutral but showed that the taxes demanded by the Roman civil authority, which represented Caesar, should be paid.

At the same time, he showed that obedience to secular authority was limited in that a person was not to give the State what was due to God, including devotion and worship (Matthew 4:10 and 22:37,38)

Jesus promoted a heavenly government – God’s Kingdom (Luke 4:43) because God’s Kingdom would achieve what God wants for the earth – as per the Model/lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:10) and that this would be a global arrangement (Daniel 2:44).

Jesus’ followers were commanded to be “no part of the world” (John 15:19) and remain separate from the world’s politics (John 17:16 and 18:36). He commanded the preaching and teaching about God’s Kingdom though (Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 10:42).

Obedience to God was first but they also knew that they had to respect secular authorities (Acts 5:29, 1 Peter 2:13,17), obey the law of the land and pay taxes (Romans 13:1,7). Whilst they were not involved politically they did make use of legal protections and services that governments provided (Acts 25:10,11 and Philippians 1:7).

Secular history reports – see “On the Road to Civilization – a World History”, page 238, “Jesus and Judaism”, page 231, “Caesar and Christ”, page 647, “Beyond Good Intentions – a Biblical view of politics”, pages 122-123 and “A History of Christianity Volume 1”, page 253.

Sue Pilgrim

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