If It Were Not Given To You From Above

John 19:10-12 "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"  Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar.”

Being at the beginning of the much touted and feared “sequestration” leaves me wondering about how our elected officials will chose to manage our government.  Seeing how the polarized nature of the political scene in Washington works (or fails to work) can be disheartening.  The words of John 19:11 lead us to doubt the motives of all the parties. "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”  The officials are empowered by God our Father to lead those who have elected them to office in which they serve.  And there in lies their condition of employment.  If they are empowered by God, then they must be there to fulfill God’s will and not their own will.  Yet how often do we see this go awry?  My friends it happens all to often.

            So, to what standard are we to hold the elected officials?  Is there a guide that cuts through all political boundaries? Yes there is.  The standard comes from Jesus himself. In Matthew 22: 34-40 we read of an exchange between a Pharisee and Jesus where all is made clear.  Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.  One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied:" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."  When we evaluate actions of our government the standard is simple for us Christians.  Are the actions giving glory to God and are the actions showing love for one another?  They are two simple rules to follow.  And yet how easy it is to forget.  We often forget, in our own lives.  And why would we expect anything different from the Washington crowd?  We have a choice in our own lives to try to do better.  And we have the ability to pray for ourselves and for those we send off to lead us. I would suggest now is a great time to pray about this.

Prayer: Almighty God, You have given us two commandments to live by. And often we forget to live by one, or the other, or both.  Help us Lord. We who are struggling in our own lives to hold to those commands to love you and love others. And help our elected leaders to live by those same principles. Remind all of us that Your love is boundless, and that You have empowered those elected to lead in fulfilling Your will on this earth. Guide us all in Your path with the light of Your Son Jesus Christ. And it is in His name that we pray, Amen.