Do Not Hope
in Kings
Stephen Witmer
Many of us are struggling to make sense of, and respond to, the
current presidential election cycle.
As Christian citizens, what should we say? How should we pray?
As Christian citizens, what should we say? How should we pray?
A short passage halfway through Luke’s Gospel may help us see
what Jesus might say concerning this election, and every other.
To be clear, Luke 13 was not written to
help twenty-first-century Americans respond to presidential politics; the main
point is to provide a window into Jesus’ compassionate heart and redemptive
mission.
Nevertheless, observing how Jesus related to governing
authorities cannot help but profit our understanding of how we should act in
the present moment.
Refuse to Fear
“At that very hour some Pharisees came
and said to [Jesus], ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you’” (Luke 13:31).
Herod, the ruler over Galilee, had already locked John the
Baptist in prison and lopped off his head (Matthew 14:3-12).
Now he has heard about Jesus and apparently has a desire to kill
him, possibly because he believed it was John back from the dead.
Herod is powerful and paranoid (Matthew 14:1-2), as well as selfish and erratic in his behavior. This is no idle
threat.
And yet, this passage records no hint of fear on Jesus’ part.
Jesus’ strongest emotions do not even involve Herod, whom he
seems to dismiss and quickly forget. Herod is actively seeking his life, but
Jesus is not fazed.
He said to them, “Go
and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and
tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on
my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a
prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’”
(Luke 13:32-33)
So much fear is swirling among Christians about the outcome of
this election. How will it shape America’s security and standing in the world?
How will it affect the freedoms of Christians? How will it
affect the lives of unborn children and other vulnerable members of our
society?
Concern is certainly justified. But there is a difference
between prayerful concern and hand-wringing panic.
At the very least, Jesus’ response indicates that fear is not an
appropriate response to this election, or any other looming political ordeal.
Tell the Truth About Sin
In his response to the Pharisees, Jesus called Herod “that fox” (Luke 13:32).
Jesus was probably referring to Herod’s cunning and treacherous
nature. And we find ourselves in an election
As Christians, we are called to be good citizens, to pray for
our political leaders, to vote, to be obedient to governing authorities.
We are called to be civil and respectful. But Jesus’ example
also reminds us that we are called to tell the truth.
And our truth-telling is to be comprehensive. In this passage,
Jesus devotes surprisingly little attention to Herod.
The major sin Jesus grieves is not Herod’s, but Jerusalem’s — it
is the sin of rejecting him. This is an important reminder for us.
The shortcomings of our main political candidates are currently
highlighted in the glare of the public spotlight.
But the sin of rebellion that grieves Jesus continues to our day
in the hearts of both leaders and ordinary people who reject Him — it’s the sin
that we ourselves are constantly tempted to in one way or another.
As Jesus’ followers, we ought to call a spade a spade when we
see the errors of political candidates, and we ought also to
discern, identify, and confess our own sins (1 Peter 4:17).
Hard-Nosed Hope in the Sovereign
God
Herod’s threats did not distract Jesus
from his mission.
Jesus knew what God had sent Him to accomplish, and He was
determined to fully complete His task, regardless of either the approval or
oppression of governing authorities: “the
third day I finish my course.”
Jesus’ confidence grew from His certainty that the completion of
his mission was part of God’s sovereign plan.
He says, “I must go on my way. . . .”
The word “must” in Luke’s Gospel frequently
conveys the idea of divine necessity.
In other words, a thing must happen because it is God’s sovereign plan for it to happen.
Jesus is fully assured that God, not Herod, is in control, and
this frees Him from fear. Herod can do nothing to stop God’s plan.
Jesus’ confidence was in God’s sovereignty — the same
sovereignty we trust in this election.
If we could see the governments and powerful people of this
world in proper perspective, under the sovereign hand of God, as nothing compared to the power
and plan of Almighty God (Psalm 2:4-6), we would fear
governments less than we do, and we would hope in them less than we do.
No matter the outcome of this election, God will remain on his
throne.
Come what may on the political front, as Christians, we are to
continue our mission of living and proclaiming the gospel — the sovereign plan
God has set for his people (Luke 24:47).
We need not be dismayed by inadequate or even hostile leaders.
God appoints our mission and numbers our days, and we can trust him.
Rest
Under the Wings of God
Just as
Jesus was secure in the Father’s plan, even as He journeyed toward death,
Christians may rest confidently and securely in God’s sovereign purposes for
our good (Romans 8:28-32) and his authoritative plan
of redemption (Matthew 28:18-20).
Following His expression of confidence in the plan laid before Him,
Jesus offered Himself as a mother hen for God’s people (Luke
13:34).
Christ Himself is our secure hiding place, as He was for
Jerusalem.
In the midst of uncertain times, let us take Him up on His offer
and huddle into the only place of perfect protection — not so we can hide from
suffering or uncertainties, but so we can faithfully proclaim repentance and
forgiveness of sins in His Name, with power from on high (Luke
24:47, 49).
RELATED POSTS:
“May Your
Presence Go With Us”
Don Moen
Lyrics
If Your presence doesn't go with us
Lord we don't want to leave this place
Lord we need You near
As we go from here
To lead us by Your love and grace
May Your presence fill us every day
May Your Spirit lead the way
Lord to You we call
Let Your glory fall
And may Your presence go with us.
If we have found favor in Your
sight
Show us Your ways O Lord
Cause we want to know You
And live in Your light
For all of our days
Show us Your ways.
We have our hopes
And we have our dreams
But we cannot go
Where You will not lead.
Lord to You we call
Let Your glory fall
And may Your presence go with us.
Stephen Witmer is the
pastor of Pepperell Christian Fellowship in Pepperell, Massachusetts, and
teaches New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the author
of Eternity Changes Everything and a 12-week study in Revelation. He and his wife, Emma,
have three children.
http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/do-not-hope-in-kings
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