Politicians can't fix what only God can

First century Israel was part of the Roman Empire. Anyone suspected of causing trouble for the Empire or the emperor was dealt with so severely that most political schemers sought to stay in the good graces of the emperor.

At least in Jerusalem, the Jews were allowed limited self-rule, primarily through the chief priest and a ruling body called the Sanhedrin. The chief priest and his allies were from the party known as the Sadducees. The other primary party in the Sanhedrin was known as the Pharisees. These “parties” were both religious and political.

Jesus often clashed with both Sadducees and Pharisees, who saw Jesus as threatening their power. If he gained too large a following it might be considered a threat by the local Roman rulers and the emperor. Constant concerns for power, wealth, and prestige shown by both Sadducees and Pharisees opened them to the repeated charge of hypocrisy from Jesus. Jesus saw them as more interested in appearances than with truth. They hid evil hearts behind a façade of good works.

The Sadducees and Pharisees were, in my opinion, somewhat like our modern-day Democrats and Republicans. Politicians from both parties cite scripture wanting us to believe God is on their side. I doubt that many of them would give up their power to follow the agenda of Jesus if he were here in the flesh today. He might clash with both Democrats and Republicans as often as he did with the Sadducees and Pharisees.

Nonetheless, I expect to vote for a major party candidate in the presidential election this fall, and encourage you to do the same. Just don’t make the mistake of believing that better politicians can fix what only God can fix.

Pastor Dan York can be reached at Dover Community Church.