This
Epiphany as we celebrate God’s self-revelation as King Jesus, I am struck by
the extreme danger of choosing to trust in self, other gods and human rulers.
Today
in America, Western Europe and beyond people are expressing their desire for
stronger, more authoritarian leadership in a climate of increasing fear and
insecurity. Many are calling for leaders who will put up walls, enforce laws
with greater vigor and take stands for citizens against the rising tides of
refugees, immigrants and terrorists. Jobs, borders, and benefits for us—not
them.
In
the days of Samuel the people of Israel tired of corruption and threats from
menacing Philistines to the point of saying to him: “Now
appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:8). Samuel
was unhappy with this request and went to the Lord, who said: “Listen to the
voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not
rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them” (v. 7)
Today
in America we see too many of God’s people reflecting a similar fatigue and
request, and it appears to have been granted them in the recent presidential
election (81% of White Evangelicals and over 60% White Catholics voted for
Trump). While God’s prophet Samuel went along with the people’s request for a king
in obedience to God, he did not endorse the majority sentiment and
choice, and neither should we.
Rather
God told the prophet to solemnly warn people (v. 9) of the miseries that
awaited them, which were played out in graphic detail as king after king did
what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the people ended up in exile.
Samuel warned those who “elected” Israel’s first king of many negative
consequences (see 1 Samuel 8:11-17), bluntly stating “then
you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for
yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day” (v. 18).
Samuel
anointed Saul and then the Old Testament prophetic tradition of speaking truth
to power stepped into high gear. Now is the time for a resurgence of prophetic
ministry informed by Word, Spirit and street realities. It is critical that
anyone stepping into this calling be rooted and grounded in God’s love, be
informed by sources dear to God’s heart, exercise great wisdom, and are bold in
speaking truth.
Scripture
informs God’s prophet, who learns that the One awaited as God’s Messiah is a
King not like the leaders of other nations. This King puts the poor and
vulnerable at the center.
“For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help, the
afflicted also, and him who has no helper. He will have compassion on the poor
and needy, and the lives of the needy he will save. He will rescue their life
from oppression and violence, and their blood will be precious in his sight” Psalm 72:12-14
Attentive
listening to the poor and marginalized in our communities will alert us to the
failure of political parties past and present to address the deeper wounds,
maladies and injustices that breed chaos in our streets and the high-priorities
that elected officials must address.
Urgent
is the need for reformation of the US prison and immigration systems, and the
way law-enforcement is practiced. Our legal systems require a deep overhaul,
without which vulnerable people will continue to be crushed under the weight of
sanctions, requirements and debt. Effective reformation can only happen if the
voices of prisoners and their families, undocumented immigrants and their
advocates, those struggling with addictions and mental health disorders and
their advocates are pursued, heard and responded to. Are there any signs
that these are the priorities of today’s political leaders? If not, we must
call for this and ourselves embody lives of reformation in alignment with the
Biblical prophetic call for justice.
Without
reformation from the bottom up (as well as from the top down), there will no
peace in our lands—but rather growing chaos and the rise of the police State. And
without the one and only Peacemaker Jesus himself-- and a growing movement of
people devoted to following him, there will be no peace.
This
is the One who the wise men from the East were led to by the star, the One
wrapped in swaddling clothes, who the shepherds first found. Jesus must be
lifted up by Christians as Commander-and-Chief in these perilous times. Jesus’
inauguration happened on the cross as he was robed, crowned with thorns and
crucified King of the Jews, and continues to be effective now. If you
are an American, consider commemorating Jesus’ inauguration as King this
January 20 through reading the Gospel account, celebrating communion or
affirming your own declaration of allegiance.
Unlike
a strong armed, authoritarian leader Jesus came to: “break
the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, the rod of their
oppressor, as at the battle of Midian. For every boot of the booted warrior in
the battle tumult, and cloak
rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire. For a child will be
born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on his
shoulders; and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal
Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:4-7).
Following Jesus, the Prince of Peace is about joining a
movement that began long ago and must continue forward through the humble work
of loving neighbors: feeding the hungry, inviting in the stranger, clothing the
naked, visiting prisoners. (See the Matthew 25 pledge).
Stepping into Jesus’ movement is joining the only side that brings God’s
government into our broken world, as Isaiah 9 beautifully prophesies.
“There will be no end to the increase of his government or
of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to
uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal
of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.” May you be filled with zeal for
Jesus and his Kingdom this Epiphany and beyond as you begin 2017.
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