A. The nature of power according to the Bible

1) God’s warning against the people who demanded a king (1 Samuel 8) 

6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.

7 And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.

9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.”

2) How did Jesus see politics? (Matthew 22:15-22)

17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?

19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius,

20 and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

B. How would Jesus vote?

1)  Jesus distances himself from nationalism (Luke 13:22-30)

24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, `Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, `I don’t know you or where you come from.’
26 “Then you will say, `We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’
27 “But he will reply, `I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’
28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.
29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” 

2)  Jesus shows mercy to the weak (John 9:1-7)

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.

2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.

7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

3) Jesus is wary of power (Mark 10:35-45)

42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  

Summary

It is far better for people to be sovereign themselves than to be ruled by kings and dictators, but, according to the Bible, God is the true sovereign. As the holders of sovereignty in our own society, we have the responsibility to pursue a society that reflects God’s will. Those who do knot now God vote according to their own desires, i.e. based on which candidate offers the most to them. As followers of Jesus, let’s base our vote on Jesus’ will, as revealed in the Bible.

For Discussion

1) Why was God less than enthusiastic when the people asked for a king?
2) How should followers of Jesus get involved in politics, aside from voting?