Hey thanks for visiting my blog. Often times when I am preparing a sermon an idea comes to me that I want to unpack a little more. Hopefully, this blog will allow me the place to do that. Then again, maybe I’ll just talk about my kids. I’ll try to update it once a month..

I admit it. I love politics. I get all giddy when I see them fighting. I know it’s not very pastoral of me but I love to see one politician absolutely indignant about practices of another politician that they themselves indulged in just a few weeks ago. Filibusters, personal attacks and pet projects. It warms my heart to see the hypocrisy.  It’s kind of like professional wrestling. When the cameras are rolling just pump your fist and yell into the microphone. Works every time. Everyone knows it’s fake but it makes great television.

One of the things that we see in this year’s election (and in most of them) is the idea that certain politicians aren’t “insiders” They are going to be “an agents of change”, they are going to “reach across the isle” to Democrats or Republicans. This won’t be “politics as usual.” Even though they did every nasty thing to get elected to their current position, they aren’t playing games now. Of course, none of it really changes when they get into office and trying to stay in that office becomes priority number one.

That brings us to the Pharisees. They were similar. On the outside they were completely righteous. They had power and a bully pulpit. They would get completely put out when things were not going their way and they used their power for great personal gain. They would pick certain groups of people that they could attack to shore up support from their base. Anything that challenged their ideas or way of life was confronted quickly and severely. Today we call those “press conferences.” Don’t get me wrong, there were good Pharisees who truly believed in the cause just as there are…just as we see…just like today in Washington where…well, I’m sure there are plenty of politicians who believe themselves.

We are studying Matthew chapter 5 in church right now. We are going through different laws that the “congress” of that day had enacted. They all sounded good and seemed to be straight from the Bible for the most part. Don’t murder. Don’t commit adultery. When you get a divorce, be civil about it. Don’t lie (unless it’s for re-election). Love your neighbor.

That’s good stuff. It’s a pretty solid platform. The Pharisee party could make some really cool bumper stickers. “Read my lips, ‘no new tax collectors’”. “Pharisees aren’t perfect…but they’ll kill you if you are.” “Live better…be judgmental.”

Then Jesus comes along. Jesus was the perfect “politician” to me. He spoke the truth and called people to a different standard. He was a true outsider. A true agent of change. He loved all the people in His district no matter who was giving to his campaign. He had the perfect blend of calling people to personal responsibility while providing for their every need.

In Matthew chapter 5 Jesus is basically saying that the status quo isn’t working. It’s a tired and weak party. He said it’s not enough to not murder. Don’t even hate someone. It’s not enough to not have an affair. Don’t even look at another women and lust after her. Don’t just love your neighbors, love your enemies. Jesus’ whole platform is not about changing the world. It’s about loving the world and having our hearts changed. It’s about redemption and healing and righteousness. It’s about something outside ourselves. It’s about a relationship with God that glorifies Him.

Jesus in ‘08!

Oh well, now back to our regularly scheduled bickering.