When you look at the life of Jesus, you see that he was a man of action. But rarely were his actions the ones that others expected of him. There was a unique way in which he engaged in kingdom-minded work in the world.
First, he prioritized people over political systems. He didn’t simply focus on changing policies to take better care of the sick, he instead loved and healed the sick. In challenging political seasons, we need to make certain we aren’t avoiding our own responsibility to love by placing it all on our political leaders. We will be disappointed by the results and will simultaneously miss out on the joy that comes from serving others.
So, do policies matter? Absolutely. But policies cannot replace the hands and feet of those living with compassion, grace, and sacrificial love. When others condemned, criticized, and judged, Jesus offered grace, understanding, and instruction on how to move forward in a new direction. Let us do the same.
While Jesus always led with love and compassion, there are also many examples of his willingness to challenge the system directly. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the corrupt political systems he focused on; it was the religious systems. He challenged the Pharisees, those who were so focused on their personal piety and the sinfulness of others that they became oblivious to their own flaws. He challenged his own disciples as they argued over who would be the greatest in the kingdom of God. And he challenged the Bigotry, Racism, and Classism that existed within the church, as he made a hero out of the Good Samaritan and revealed the hypocrisy of the religious elite.
Jesus’ attention was always drawn to the Broken, the Needy, the Sinner, the Outcast. And when Jesus encountered systems and mindsets that served to oppress them, he spoke up boldly. (Mark 12:38-40); ( Luke 11:37-52);
Be Encouraged Today
As we keep a Kingdom mindset
