At Jesus’ birth, politicians worried about being unseated by one born to be King (Matthew 2:1–16; John 18:37).

As an adult, He was tempted with political power—all the kingdoms of the world (Luke 4:5–6). At the peak of His popularity, adoring people tried to forcibly crown Him king (John 6:15). At the end, Pilate judged Him on charges of seeking political power (Matthew 27:1–2, 11).

In each instance, Jesus showed no interest and explained that He was no threat to rulers, for His “kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).

It is safe to say that American candidates would have nothing to fear if Jesus were here. He wants no seat in the Oval Office.

But What if?

One’s first impression might be, “Jesus would win by a landslide. He is well-known, trusted, loved, and the greatest leader the world has ever seen.” Second thoughts would produce, well . . . second thoughts.

If Jesus ran for president, would He win? Click to Tweet

The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6): An Attractive Candidate

Jesus had no form, comeliness, or beauty to draw people to Him (Isaiah 53:2), but His personality and lifestyle led common people to hear Him gladly (Mark 12:37). Thousands—Jews and Gentiles—came to see and hear Jesus (John 12:20–21).

Jesus possessed attractive qualities that would make Him a great president. As a friend of publicans and sinners (Matthew 11:18–19), He stood up for the poor and the old (Luke 4:18; 6:20; 7:22; 21:2–3), but He also prized the young, rich, and powerful (Matthew 27:57; Mark 10:21; Luke 7:36–50). He was scrupulously honest; He could not be bought (Matthew 4:1–22). He was sincere, unselfish, fair. He loved widows and children. He championed the underdog. He stood up to bullies. He was an independent thinker. He did not toe the religious party line.

He had no skeletons in His closet, no little black book of off-the-record relationships to be discovered to His shame, no sins to derail His candidacy (Hebrews 4:15).

Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth (John 1:45): A Controversial Figure

Everybody, it seems, has an opinion about Jesus; many radically different—even contradictory—groups claim Him as an advocate of their worldview. It is safe to say that preconceived views are often not in line with what Scripture says of Jesus. In the worst cases, He is blasphemously associated with sinful behaviors—His “brand” hijacked and twisted to endorse viewpoints He abhors. In others, He is simply misunderstood as He sometimes was when He walked among men. Inevitably He would be controversial today, as He was then (Luke 5:30; 10:30–37; 15:2; 19:7).

Everybody, it seems, has an opinion about Jesus

Where might Jesus stand on today’s issues? Society in His day faced many of the same issues, so we can construct an informed platform for His campaign from His speeches, conversations, actions, and Bible verses.

Would one be elected today who held the beliefs Jesus held?

Government/Society

“All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12). “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). “All thy commandments are righteousness” (Psalm 119:172). “All the nations that forget God” shall be turned aside (Psalm 9:17). Jesus’ teachings were designed for individuals, not governments, yet if all citizens—including politicians—followed His doctrines, the nation and world would improve overnight.

Racism

Jesus saw all men—Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles—as made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26) and as sinners needing redemption (Romans 3:22–23). A seemingly chance meeting with a Samaritan woman at a well (John 4) shows Jesus dealing with the three major barriers among people:

Racial

Hatred between Jews and Samaritans had existed for centuries. Most Jews avoided traveling through Samaria at all.

Sexual

Samaritan women were seen as unclean from the cradle (Mishnah Niddah 4:1). Most Jewish men would not talk publicly with any woman (John 4:27), especially not a Samaritan woman.

Religious

The temple on Mount Gerizim was a point of contention to the Jews from the time of its construction.

Seizing the opportunity to tease a thirsty man, the woman brought up these differences (John 4:19–24). She thought it was sheer need that compelled Him to ask her for water, but Jesus’ kind acceptance led her to believe He was the Messiah (4:9, 11, 19, 24). Later, this led many others in Sychar to follow Him (4:39).

Economics

The prevailing view of Jesus as a Socialist is off-target. Jesus was not a Socialist—nor a Democrat, Republican, or any political entity. He is a monarch who did not advocate any form of earthly government. His kingdom is not “of this world” (John 18:36) for He was “not of this world” (John 8:23).

Socialism and Christianity differ in freedom of choice. Socialist governments take and redistribute wealth. Christianity leaves the one with money a choice. The gospel encourages and fosters a giving spirit (2 Corinthians 8:3) but does not coerce it.

Jesus’ teachings encourage work for wages: “The laborer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7; cf. Proverbs 16:26). A landowner in Jesus’ parable had the right to do what he wanted to with his money (Matthew 20:15; cf. Naboth, 1 Kings 21). At the same time, Jesus strongly opposed greed. “A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).

Poverty/Welfare

Jesus often spoke out for human rights on behalf of oppressed people. Yet He was balanced, speaking both of a society’s responsibility to help others and an individual’s responsibility to help himself. Under normal circumstances, each is to bear his “own burden” (make his own living) (Galatians 6:5); under emergency or extreme circumstances, others (society, Christians) are to bear “one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).

Jesus was pro-charity. He pointed to the needs of the marginalized. He demonstrated (Matthew 10:9–10; John 13:29) and taught love for neighbors (Matthew 22:39), even those we do not personally know (Luke 10:33–37). “When thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee” (Luke 14:13–14). Christians are to work to have something to give to those in need (Ephesians 4:28). Under the gospel, rich people are to “be rich in good works, ready to distribute” (1 Timothy 6:17–19).

Jesus was pro-work. “If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith” (1 Timothy 5:8). “If any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

Political Correctness/Rights

Jesus did not try to please anyone but His Father (John 8:29). The record of His life shows that He neither tried to stir up nor avoid trouble. On one hand, He did not strive, lift up His voice in the streets, break “a bruised reed,” or quench a “smoking flax” (Matthew 12:20; cf. Isaiah 42:1–4). He sometimes moved to another city when controversy was inevitable (Luke 4:28–31).

On the other hand, Jesus never adjusted His message to please people. To Him the right path was the unpopular one: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat” (Matthew 7:13). Do not “follow a multitude to do evil” (Exodus 23:2).

Jesus’ motto was, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). He taught to turn the cheek (Matthew 5:39), give the cloak (5:40), walk another mile (5:41). Isn’t this better than “every man for himself, demand your rights, agitate, intimidate, and regulate”? Healthy societies focus on responsibilities more than rights.

Religion/Public Prayer

Surprisingly, Jesus was no big fan of public prayer, at least not as practiced by the Pharisees (Matthew 6:5–6). Jesus prayed publicly on occasion (John 11:41–42; 17:1–26), but He might not be religious enough for some who profess to follow Him today. Possibly He would call some the same names—hypocrites, fools, blind—that He did their counterparts in the first century (Matthew 23). It is ironic that the holy Son of God was crucified primarily because He was not “holy” enough for religious leaders in His day (Matthew 9:10–11; 11:19).

Freedom of Religion/Freedom of Speech

“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:36–37). “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).

In our media-driven, hypersensitive, hide-behind-your-keyboard-and-fire-away culture, the great American virtues of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion are pushed to a back burner. The trait of tolerance is championed—so long as one holds to the party line. If a person dares to exercise his freedom of speech in taking a view differing from the mainstream—especially if it originates in the Bible—then tolerating him no longer seems a virtue. Jesus might say, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20).

Women

Jesus never married. Thus He had no wife or mother-in-law. Jesus never fathered children, so He had no daughters or granddaughters. He never had a romantic relationship, so no girlfriends. He had a mother and sisters. He had female friends and followers. Even with this limited personal experience, Jesus knew the fairer sex (John 2:25). Women were never objects to Jesus. They were not property. They were not tools to be used or slaves to be exploited. More than any other individual in history, Jesus raised the status of women.

  • He complimented women: “O woman, great is thy faith” (Matthew 15:28).
  • He helped women: “Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity” (Luke 13:12).
  • He comforted women: “Woman, why weepest thou?” (John 20:15).
  • He defended women: “Why trouble ye the woman?” (Matthew 26:10, 13).
  • He elevated women: “Neither male nor female: for ye are all one” (Galatians 3:28).

Jesus certainly got the women’s vote in His day. His most ardent followers were women—they were last at the cross, first at the tomb (Matthew 27:55; 28:5). They liked Him; trusted Him; respected Him; followed Him; cared for Him (Matthew 26:7; 27:61; Mark 15:40–41; Luke 8:3; 11:27; 23:27; Acts 1:14; 5:14).

Abortion

“When Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb” (Luke 1:41; cf. Matthew 19:12). “Before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee” (Jeremiah 1:5). “Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person” (Deuteronomy 27:25). One of the seven things the Lord hates is “hands that shed innocent blood” (Proverbs 6:16–17). Jesus was not anti-women, but He was pro-children. He loved them; He took time for them. He held them and held them up as examples of how all should behave (Matthew 18:3; 19:14).

Marriage/Adultery

Jesus would run on a pro-family ticket (Matthew 19:4–5). His first miracle was performed at a wedding feast (John 2:1–11). “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). He opposed divorce (Matthew 5:32; 19:4–9; Mark 10:11–12; Luke 16:18), but He allowed it for fornication (Matthew 19:9). He encouraged reconciliation (1 Corinthians 7:10–11). “The body is not for fornication, but for the Lord” (1 Corinthians 6:13). On one hand, when a woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus, He did not condemn her to die (John 8:1–11). On the other, He told her to go and “sin no more” (8:11).

Homosexuality

“Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?” (Matthew 19:4–5). “To avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband” (1 Corinthians 7:2). “Even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another” (Romans 1:26–27; cf. 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; Genesis 19).

Animals/Environment

“How much then is a man better than a sheep?” (Matthew 12:12). God gave man “dominion” over the works of His hands (Psalm 8:6). Jesus used but never abused animals and the environment. He rode a donkey, caught and cooked fish, and ate a lamb (Matthew 17:27; 21:7; 26:18; John 21:9). “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast” (Proverbs 12:10; cf. Deuteronomy 25:4). Jesus cleaned up after Himself and collected “twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes” (Mark 6:43). “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

The Resurrected Lord and Savior: The Winning Ticket

None of these is the most crucial issue. The thing most critical for each voter is not who is president, but who is Lord. It is not how the election affects the pocketbook, but how one’s decisions affect his soul. “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

When Jesus comes, He will not be president. He will be King, and every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess (Romans 14:11). How will you mark the ballot for Lord of your life and Savior of your soul?

The polls are open.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. For me Jesus would definitely win.On your Opinion Poll, all of the issues you named are important. The ones that stand out to me the most important are morality, personal freedom/Government Big Brother Surveillance, Supreme Court Appointees and religious freedom. If our religious freedom is taken away we go back to biblical times of hiding to worship and talking in symbols and persecution more severe than ever. When denominational pastors lead a public prayer for God to send an avenging angel to come down and protect a man who displays everything God is against gives Christians a bad name. They see all as evangelicals. And they blaspheme all because they think we are for this man too. I spend more time explaining that to these people that evangelicals are not real Christians and do not go by everything in the bible that real Christians do. One accused evangelical Christians as just taking bits and pieces of the bible and using it to their benefit, which they do. If we get Supreme Court Appointees that have no moral values and we loose our personal freedom we will be dominated by the government that very well could be under a communist controlled power.. I firmly believe that will happen with Trump. Trump wants to get rid of all the justices and name his own. These will be evil men who will make laws to destroy not just Christians but our nation. i believe God gives us a choice in religion to become his children as he does who we choose as a leader of our nation. We have to choose wisely. Do we let a woman who at least has denominational values to lead us or a man who has none. A man who praises a Russian leader who needs to be brought up on war crimes for killing more than 1 million people in Syria and who also shot down a Malaysia air liner killing hundreds of people. A man who thinks its okay to grope women and young girls where ever and anytime he feels like it. A man who has raped a 13 year old girl, a man who has stiffed thousands of people out of millions of dollars. A man who is a racist, a liar, cheat, fraud, incites men to practice their 2nd amendment right and kill Hillary Clinton and a reporter. A man who is a cocaine user, and makes his wives get pregnant and sells the fetus to Planned Parent Hood. Then he cries he is anti-abortion. A con man. A man who has committed adultery and changes wives more frequent than his insurance. A man who has been in a mental facility. A man who foams at the mouth over little girls and loves seeing naked young women in a beauty pageant. Or do we vote for a woman who has for 30 years worked to help children, women and the disabled. A woman who was set up by the GOP to take the fall for Benghazi when she had no power to order aid for them it was the GOP who had to do that, Even Obama was turned down twice by them. A woman who was set up by the GOP over emails that they knew was going to lead to nothing. A woman who set up a Foundation that has saved and helped over 11.2 million people. And has never received a cent from it. A woman who wants to improve health care, gun control,global warming, and believes in traditional marriage. When you weigh the things she is for and the things as a Christian I am against I have to say I will choose her over Trump. With Trump we lose it all and with her we still have a chance to control in our state abortion laws and minority rights and the death penalty and alcohol and drugs. If Trump wins we will not have clean energy or environmental and earth care. We have lost the vote on homosexual marriage in Oklahoma, I voted against it with abortion. And the gender identity we have no control over another’s mind only thru teaching. And sometimes that is in vain. I don’t think we have anything to fear over the Muslims law, God is in control and his word is here forever. Foreign Affairs, we have a lot to worry about with Trump, Hillary is quite capable and experienced in that. Trump wants to give nuclear weapons to all countries. And he is foaming at the mouth to nuke a country. So even though she is a woman I still have to pick her over Trump. He is a poor excuse for a man and a leader. He is dangerous. i know a woman is not suppose to have authority over a man. But I think this time it is of necessity. And I know we are suppose to trust God, and I do that is why I am voting for Hillary. Because there is no man worthy of leading us to vote for.

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