Devotions Archive

Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
Search Archive

Politics in Jerusalem

Monday, December 15, 2008

Matthew 21:23-27
When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?"

Jesus said to them in reply, "I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John's baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?"

They discussed this among themselves and said, "If we say 'Of heavenly origin,' he will say to us, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet." So they said to Jesus in reply, "We do not know."

He himself said to them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Politicians can bring peace and promote fairness among their people. Illinois politicians have been the very best at this: just think of Abraham Lincoln, Adlai Stevenson, Paul Simon and even the redoubtable Everett Dirksen.

Of course there is no worldly requirement for generosity of spirit in politicians, and the current occupant of the governor's office represents to the world the grasping and self-centered side of political life. Today in Springfield men and women armed with votes will try to agree on a path into a more hopeful future for state government, or at least a way to extricate themselves from the current corruption.

In their discussions they will have to decide whether, while being "shrewd as snakes," they can also be "innocent as doves," as Jesus instructed his disciples (Matthew 10:16). In Jerusalem Jesus stands up to the Pharisees and beats them at their own game. He knows their intentions are grasping and self-centered. He knows they want to trick him and then destroy him. He knows they are wrong, and he is right.

We shouldn't be quite so sure about our own righteousness. I can be sure, however, that God wants to show me how to be both shrewd and innocent. I can't be just one or the other while I am living in the world. Dealing with my enemy (that is to say, the devil) requires that I know something of his ways at the same time I surrender like a child to God's control.

But my enemy is never another person. Politics does not require me to think that way. Those people who disagree with me are also God's children, and he loves them as much as he loves me. When I forget that, I fall fast like a star out of the sky, forgetting utterly to trust God. In no time I'll be standing alone on the mountain, like a flagstaff on a hill, surrounded by death.

Let me choose life, Lord. When my brother and sister and I must find a way to agree, I will turn to you for direction. You will lead us and keep us, and make your face shine upon us, and give us peace. You will never forsake us.



";
Add      Edit    Delete


About Us | About Counseling | Problems & Solutions | Devotions | Resources | Home

Christian Counseling Service
1108 N Lincoln Ave
Urbana IL 61801
217.377.2298
dave@christiancounselingservice.com


All photographs on this site Copyright © 2024 by David Sandel.