Indivisible The Bible and the Ballot Kile Baker November 10th, 2024 John 18:28-40 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They did not enter the headquarters themselves; otherwise they would be defiled and unable to eat the Passover. 29So Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man weren’t a criminal, we wouldn’t have handed him over to you." Luke 23:1-2 Then the whole assembly rose up and brought him before Pilate. 2They began to accuse him, saying, “(1) We found this man misleading our nation, (2) opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and (3) saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” 31Pilate told them, “You take him and judge him according to your law.” “It’s not legal for us to put anyone to death,” the Jews declared. 32They said this so that Jesus’s words might be fulfilled indicating what kind of death he was going to die. Question: Are Christians becoming more political; or is politics becoming more spiritual? Answer: Each one uses the other when it is beneficial to do so. 33Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about me?” 35“I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” Pilate asked about Jesus’ activity, and Jesus answered with His authority. 36“My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is my kingdom is not from here.” 37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked. Pilate asked about Jesus’ authority, and Jesus answered with an identity. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 “What is truth?” said Pilate. After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds for charging him. 39 You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” 40 They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary. Post-election facts: The election of a new president doesn’t bring the end of political discussion, or religious and irreligious extremism. The Bible critiques all political ideologies and endorses none. Any ideology that shapes society, morality, identity, activity, or community, and is not grounded in the Bible will eventually become idolatry. There will be other presidents, other senators, other governors, other mayors - but there will never be another Jesus Christ. Christians must not become so worked up with an elected official, that they miss the importance of the one who has been eternally in charge. Do not spend the next four years of your life deciding whether you accept or reject the policies of the next administration. Instead, spend every moment of your time trying to accept the teachings of Jesus, even as you try to reject the influence of the world on your life.