An Election Day sermon

A week before last November’s election, a video went viral showing a 4-year old girl in tears. Her mother, who had been listening to National Public Radio, asks her why she’s crying. The little girl sputters, “Just because I’m tired of Bronco Bama and Mitt Romney.” The mother gently responds, “It’ll be over soon, Abby. The election will be over soon. OK?” Abby tearfully replies, “OK.”

In response to that video’s popularity, NPR issued a formal apology to Abby and “all the many others who feel just like her. We must confess, the campaign’s gone on long enough for us, too. Let’s just keep telling ourselves, Only a few more days, only a few more days, only a few more days.”

The prophet Isaiah envisions an entirely different political campaign. This is how God would run it: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street” (Isaiah 42:1-2).

Contrast that with the barrage of attack ads that pummeled us for the weeks and months before the election. Contrast that with all the defaming and distortions and fear-mongering to which we were subjected in the presidential campaign. The tactics made me embarrassed to be a member of either political party.

But God’s candidate is gentle and nonviolent in his approach: “a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench” (42:3a).

Our political system would say that’s ineffective. God’s candidate will never get elected that way. And even if he or she does get elected, such a candidate will never be able to get anything done.

But that’s not what Isaiah says: “He will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching” (42:3b-4). Isaiah is telling us that God’s way of bringing justice is very different from our usual arm twisting.

Jesus makes a similar point in the Gospel of Mark. His disciples, James and John, want powerful positions in Jesus’ new government. They take him aside and ask if they can have the top cabinet posts: “Let us be the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense.” When the other disciples hear about it, they’re outraged, because they wanted those cabinet posts.

Jesus has to calm them all down: “You know that among the Gentiles—those pagans who don’t know the true God—that their rulers lord it over them, and their officials act like dictators, pushing for their own political interests. But that’s not how it’s going to be among you. Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first must be a slave to all. For the Son of Humanity came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life to rescue all” (Mark 10:41-45 paraphrased).

This is the politics of Jesus. This is not the politics of the Republicans or the Democrats or the Libertarians. This is a politics of overcoming evil with good. This is a politics of overcoming resentment with reconciliation. This is a politics of overcoming pride with service. God’s government conquers not through force or filibusters, not through bullying or badgering, not through threats or war but through persistent self-giving love.

Today, some of us voted for one set of candidates, some for another set of candidates, and some did not vote at all. As Christians we must recognize that when we vote—if we vote—neither major political party represents Jesus’ way. We must recognize that when we vote—if we vote—we are supporting a system that is only the vaguest suggestion of the justice and peace God’s kingdom is bringing. We must recognize that when we vote—if we vote—there is only one Christian nation, and it is not the United States. It is the church—a nation without borders or immigration restrictions, a nation without an army, police force or weapons. This is the nation we believe in; this is the nation we hope God uses to help bring healing to humanity.

Today, let us remember our allegiance is to Jesus and to Jesus’ way. Yes, let us witness to the government. Yes, let us try to influence the government for good. But let us do it the way Christ would do it.

Ryan Ahlgrim is pastor of First Mennonite Church in Indianapolis.