DECEMBER 11 POLITICS AND THE MANGER By Dr. Erwin Lutzer Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church, Chicago, Illinois
John 19:11 Luke’s version of the Christmas story begins with these words, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered” (2:1). On the political level, it was a decree of King Caesar that was the reason for Mary and Joseph to go Bethlehem where Jesus would be born. Whether he knew it or not, Augustus helped the prophecy that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem be fulfilled. The Jews hated Roman rule – and with good reason. The people were heavily taxed for the benefit of Rome and its citizens. One of Jesus’ disciples was “Simon the zealot,” evidently a member of a political faction that plotted to restore Jewish nationalism and throw off the Roman yoke. Yes, Jesus was surrounded by political factions and hostility. For us in the United States, the heightened political rhetoric, the distrust, and the quest for power has reached new levels. Never before in our history has a populace been bombarded with a 24-hour news cycle – filled with shrill voices, outrageous accusations, and blatant propaganda. We have not been down a path quite like this before. Frankly, I have little hope that we can enter 2021 with anything that resembles national unity or rational discussion about what is best for America. However, this Christmas, let us remember: God entered this world to redeem us from sin, but also to eventually redeem us politically, when the Messiah reappears to reign. Meanwhile, let us not forget that the Caesars of this world, including the President of the United States, ultimately serve under the pleasure and purposes of God. While speaking to Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea who hated the Jews and slaughtered some Galileans while they were offering sacrifices in the Temple (Luke 13:1), Jesus said this: “You would have no authority over me unless it had been given you from above.” (John 19:11) Yes, we elect our politicians, but can we pause for a moment and remind ourselves that God is still in charge? Whether or not our favorite politician wins an election, the baby in the manger reminds us that we must look beyond our confused world to God.
Let’s not let politics or even a pandemic eclipse our celebration of Christmas! Let us remember that the baby born in Bethlehem said, “My kingdom is not of this world!”
Even so come, Lord Jesus!
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