The Kingdom of God vs. The American Republic

There was a movie a few years back starring Chris Sarandon as Jesus called The Day Christ Died.  Even though its been a long time since I’ve seen it, a line from it still sticks with me.

In one scene the disciples and the crowds were really trying to get Jesus focused on standing up to the Romans and their invading foreign culture.

They were getting frustrated because Jesus just didn’t seem to care about the things they cared about.  Couldn’t he see the damage the Roman Empire was causing to the people of God? Finally Jesus turns to them and says,

“Remember, Israel is not the whole world and Rome is not it’s greatest enemy.”

I must admit, I am being increasingly discouraged by some of the attitudes on display from Christians in America who supported the Mitt Romney and the Republicans in this past presidential election.  I’ve even had some personal accusations against me as apparently my attempt to bring peace and a focus on Christ’s Kingdom during the election were interpreted as “selling out.”

To my American friends all I can say is:

“Remember, the United States is not the whole world and the “liberal Democrats” are not it’s greatest enemy.”

In Mark Chapter 4 Jesus says to the disciples, lets go to the other side of the lake; so they hop in a boat and go. It continues:

A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.

The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The disciples were perplexed about why Jesus didn’t focus on the storm that was threatening them.  Jesus in turn was perplexed that the disciples were focused on the storm and not on the bank where he said they were going to.

Even Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham, has apparently joined the chorus of disciples who are focusing on the storm and not on the “kingdom” that Christ is building.  He says following the election:

Maybe God will have to bring our nation down to our knees—to where you just have a complete economic collapse. And maybe at that point, maybe people will again begin to call upon the name of almighty God.

I’m pretty sure Romans 2:4 says that it’s God’s kindness that leads us to repentance…not his wrath!

To Franklin I say, (and I do want to honor him as a brother in Christ):

“Remember, the United States is not the whole world and the “liberal Democrats” are not it’s greatest enemy.”

So to sum it all up:

• America is NOT the whole world
• “liberal Democrats” are NOT America’s greatest enemy (some are actually your brothers and sisters in Christ)
• Keep your eyes focused on the Kingdom of God
• Don’t let storms make you afraid…because people who are afraid often say and do silly things
• It’s the kindness of God that leads people to repentance
• Stop quoting Old Testament “wrath” verses in conjunction with America…it’s just like soooo 2000 years ago ( like wearing white after Labor Day)

Love God…Love People… and see Christ’s Kingdom built..Peace!