This is a series about politics, earthly government, and Jesus. In my previous post, I mentioned that part of the prophecy from Isaiah 9:6-7 tells us that Jesus is a ruler of a peaceful kingdom established and upheld by justice and righteousness.

Imagine a land where peace is growing, not shrinking. A country where justice is being carried out perfectly, punishment fits the crime and there is not even a hint of unbalanced scales in the courtroom. Everyone is treated with fairness and equity. Imagine a land where the government always did what was right to gain their seat of authority and kept their seat with integrity by continuing to do what is right…without question.

Sadly, that existence evades us, yet it still seems to be sought after by everyone from those who carry placards in occupy protests to those who drive by yelling, “get a job” and everyone in between. All of us seem to have something born into us that drives us to desire peace, justice and government with integrity and care for the people.

What you may be expecting me to do next is say that one particular ideology is better than another, that you should vote a certain way or something like that, but that is exactly what I am not going to do.

No, what I would ask you to do, however, is take a step back from our political spectrums of left vs. right and envision a kingdom entirely separate from this one. One that is not of this world. It is ruled by a king who shares generously from his immeasurable wealth, all that he has. Our loyalty to him comes not from fear of an iron fist, but from a heart that has been wooed.

I’m not the best at painting a picture, so I’ll stop there. In John 18:36, Jesus says, “My kingdom is not of this world.”

Even though its citizens are not perfect, everyone in the Kingdom of Heaven is treated with justice and equity, everyone is at peace with each other and has no outstanding debts to the king other than the outstanding debt to love everyone with the love that we’ve been shown. It is only this way because justice has already been served for every wrongdoing that each one has committed. The King himself has taken the punishment owed to his citizens.

What kind of king says, “Justice must be done, so I’ll take your punishment.”?? Jesus said its not of this world and he was right. No politician I’ve ever met would do that for me or for anyone else.

Jesus said to his disciples in John 15:12-13, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” What king says “you are my friend”? A king who is certainly not of this world.

In the coming days, we’ll look at what it might be like to live under Jesus as a wonderful counsellor and loving father who lives forever as well as how his kingdom is increasing and bringing peace as it grows.

Have a look at these verses for some other thoughts about how King David was a reflection (though not perfect) and foreshadow of the rule of Jesus: 1 Chronicles 16:1-3 & 18:14.

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