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Mar 1 2017

At multiple points during this year’s presidential campaign I’ve found myself feeling like the little boy whose voice was caught on video when one of the nominees visited his classroom: “I’m nervous. I’m nervous. I’m nervous.” News reports about both major candidates continue to make me nervous; however, I also keep reminding myself of several things from the Bible that assure me, it’ll be ok.

Jesus was more interested in church leadership than government leadership

Jesus apparently felt little need for political support in accomplishing his goals. He didn’t bother advocating policy to King Herod or the Roman governor, Pilate, when he appeared before them. When he talked to religious leaders he focused on topics like lowering barriers to worship and expanding opportunities to do good. Even when asked about tax policy, Jesus pivoted to spiritual commitment. Recalling Jesus’ lack of need for political support to accomplish his goals reassures me that whichever candidate we elect president, it’ll be ok.

We have dual citizenship

Jesus taught that his followers are residents of the Kingdom of God no matter where they happen to be living. The political entity in which they lived could fall to another nation as Israel did to Rome, could turn violently against them as Rome did under Nero, or could give them special status as Rome did under Constantine. Their earthly nation could change beyond recognition, yet they would be ok, because their primary citizenship was in the Kingdom of God. I’ve heard talk this election cycle that one candidate or the other will bring an end to the country as we know it if elected. I doubt that will happen, but even if it does, I recall that I belong first and foremost to the eternal Kingdom of God, and because of that, it’ll be ok.

We’re electing a president not a savior

I want what the Bible describes as shalom for myself, for my country, and for the world. It means peace, wholeness, and wellbeing and is one way of expressing what salvation looks like. The Bible teaches that only God can give true shalom. When I remember to look to God to save the world rather than to a political leader I become more honest about the limits of any human leader, recognize more clearly that human shalom-building is a team effort needing my participation, and gain assurance that if an elected leader isn’t my idea of a savior, it’ll be ok.

By this time next week we should know the identity of our next president. I’m nervous. But I’m also assured. It’ll be ok.

In Christ,
Rich

Rich Rindfuss
Access Pastor
First United Methodist Church Richardson

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Mar 1 2017

We have evidence that Jesus’ inner circle contained at least two people with strongly opposite political beliefs. Matthew worked as a tax collector, collaborating with the Roman occupiers of Judea. Simon was known as the Zealot, a term used to describe people strongly against any kind of collaboration. As far as we know these two managed to work together and get along despite their political differences. I believe that’s still possible today, and we can help make it happen by following two principles we see in Jesus’ life and teaching.

Jesus lived incarnationally

Next month at Christmas we’ll celebrate “the incarnation,” the act of God taking on human form. God got to know us, and we got to know God on a completely new and deeper level, because God chose to live life as we live it, to see things from our perspective. Jesus followed this pattern throughout his life as he interacted meaningfully with everyone from the wealthy to the poor, from Jewish to Samaritan to pagan, from the healthy to the ill. He made an effort to know all of these people as more than just labels or stereotypes and never demonized anyone, not even the demon-possessed! Perhaps Matthew and Simon were able to work together despite their differences by living incarnationally, making an effort to understand each other and to see things from each other’s perspective.

Jesus taught and lived agape

Almost every time you read the word “love” in the New Testament, and every time Jesus uses it, the Greek word being translated is agape. It means doing good things for another person. When Jesus says to love our enemies,  he’s not saying we have to feel good about them, but that we have to do good things for them regardless of how we feel. Most people respond to acts of agape with gratitude. Defensiveness lessens and willingness to collaborate increases. Maybe a steady infusion of agape wore down any animosity between Simon and Matthew and enabled them to work as a team with Jesus.

This year’s election has highlighted many divisions within our country. We followers of Jesus have an example for how to heal those divisions. In the days ahead I’ll be working to live incarnationally and to show agape to the people around me, particularly to those who voted differently than me. I hope you’ll join me in this. Together we can create an environment where people separated by politics can nevertheless work together peacefully and productively.

In Christ,
Rich

Rich Rindfuss
Access Pastor
First United Methodist Church Richardson

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Mar 1 2017

As I write this on Thursday, some are wondering how “presidential” Donald Trump will appear at his inauguration. Others question if a dignified appearance matters. One Bible story suggests God liked it when the national leader stripped to his underwear and started dancing at a parade.

2 Samuel chapter 6 relates that King David brought the Ark of the Covenant (yep, it’s a real thing and not just a face-melting prop from Raiders of the Lost Ark) into the capital city of Jerusalem. David led the procession. He made two animal sacrifices along the way. He danced “with all his might.” And 2 Samuel 6:14 notes, “David was girded with a linen ephod.” A little research in the New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible reveals that “girded with a linen ephod” means David was dancing while wearing a ceremonial loincloth – and nothing else.

At least one person found this inappropriate for the national leader. When David got home his wife said, “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ maids, as any vulgar fellow might shamelessly uncover himself!” (2 Samuel 6:20). David replied, “It was before the Lord… I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes” (2 Samuel 6:21-22 NIV). A postscript to the story says that David’s wife had no children, which is likely meant to communicate that God took David’s side.

I don’t know how “presidential” Donald Trump will appear at his inauguration or how important that is. I do hope and pray that with God’s help he, our other leaders, you, and I will lead without regard for ourselves but for the sake of others from God to our families to employees to volunteers to the American people.

In Christ,
Rich

Rich Rindfuss
Access Pastor
First United Methodist Church Richardson