Authority and splendor
Day 346, Wednesday, July 23
Luke Chapters 4 – 5
Recently the Internal Revenue Service announced it would no longer enforce a rule against churches or pastors endorsing political candidates.
On the one hand, I think the new IRS position is correct—it’s not the role of the government to determine what is or is not acceptable for churches to teach.
On the other hand, I think any church or pastor is foolish to bring partisan politics into the pulpit—any benefit is minor, and the cost is great.
While Jesus was quick to follow the tradition of the prophets in demanding that government be just and not just a tool of the powerful, he was also clear that he was not a king in the political sense. He did not seek political power, and seemed to consider it less important than loyalty to the kingdom of God.
It’s significant, I think, that political power was one of the temptations Satan dangled before Jesus when he was being tested in the wilderness.
“The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, ‘I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.’”
I think it’s significant the devil didn’t offer to give Jesus the kingdoms, but rather their “authority and splendor.”
Those are the things that are tempting: ruling over others and living in luxury and the appearance of power. How many people in our day fall prey to those same temptations—not just people in governments but also the superstars of business, entertainment, sports and any other field that offers power and splendor in exchange for one’s soul.
Politically, the church needs to be in the business of seeking justice from the government—not helping to crown kings.
-Rev. Mark Fleming
Wednesday meditation
Job 9:32-10:7
“He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together, someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot.
“I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul. I say to God: Do not declare me guilty, but tell me what charges you have against me. Does it please you to oppress me, to spurn the work of your hands, while you smile on the plans of the wicked? Do you have eyes of flesh? Do you see as a mortal sees? Are your days like those of a mortal or your years like those of a strong man, that you must search out my faults and probe after my sin—though you know that I am not guilty and that no one can rescue me from your hand?”
Prayer focus
Lord, give us leaders who lead with justice for all.