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Forgotten are all those hanging chads and such, associated with election of 2000. My mind is in a new direction; whom would Jesus vote for in November?
Religion has played an important role in politicking of late. Every politician, these days, speaks of importance of personal faith in an appeal to religious groups. If you ask me, I've never seen a politician who could not do with a good dose of religion.
Even in Pennsylvania, politicians are chasing Amish vote. Now, I ask you, what in world does a politician of 21st century have to offer Amish living in 18th century?
The Amish have their own schools. They take care of each other and do not need a government health plan. And there is no unemployment among these sturdy people of earth. They go out of their way to keep government out of their lives.
Therefore, what does a politician have to offer these quaint people — free axle grease for their buggy wheels?
Probably, most important point in this discussion is what political candidate has anything they can offer Jesus? What promise could they ever make that would in any way entice Him to cast a glance their way, let alone a vote.
A problem politician faces is simply: Jesus demands complete and absolute honesty in every person — all time. For a candidate to make some promise merely to entice a voter would be repulsive to Jesus.
Jesus can see through every promise and every person.
Every candidate for public office knows in his or her heart they cannot deliver on most of their promises. This inability to deliver does not in any regard stop flow of smooth-as-butter promises.
From New Testament, Jesus established some priorities:
* Honesty to point of personal harm.
* Preferring other to himself.
* Helping poor and unfortunate.
Fortunately, Jesus does not vote. Rather, he invites people to come to Him for rest.
An Old Testament scripture illustrates this truth. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18 KJV.)
What politician offers forgiveness of sins? Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28 KJV.)
St. Augustine hit it right when he said, "Thou, O Lord, has created us for Thyself and we are restless until we rest fully in Thee."
Rev. James L. Snyder is an award winning author and popular columnist living with his wife in Ocala, FL.