If only we had the right politicians….
If only we had the right politicians, the right king or president they would make and enforce laws that support our preferences, promote our programs for happiness and settle the storms in our lives. Right?
Similar logic drove the elders of Israel whom we meet in the Hebrew Text 1 Samuel 8.1, 4–18 insist the prophet, priest and judge Samuel anoint for them a king to rule in their favor and make their lives better (effectively ending the tenure of Judges’ caring for the tribes of Israel). And so faithful Samuel prays to the Holy One and hears, “Give the people what they want and in no uncertain terms detail the consequences. Your sons and daughters will be drafted, farmlands seized and labor taxed for the sovereign’s benefit and “you all shall be (the king’s) slaves.” “
As predicted, insisting on transition from tribal jurisdiction to monarchy, life for the Israelites dives downhill. Caught in the argument between the elite who want to centralize power and the peasants who want their lives and liberty protected, Saul, the first King anointed by Samuel, is powerless to effect change. Not only that, he is consumed in a struggle with David who systematically strategizes to steal Saul’s crown. So what has changed?
Leap forward one thousand years to John’s text where we meet five thousand people who have seen the signs of Jesus’ healing and when their hunger is mysteriously satisfied with five barley loaves and two fish (John 6.1–13) the eyes of their hearts are opened. They recognize Jesus, “is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world!” No doubt their minds are reeling with possibility. “Finally we will have a king to heal and feed us, to make and enforce laws that support our preferences, promote our programs for happiness and settle the storms in our lives. We must make Jesus king.” (John 6.14–20)
But Jesus has no interest in being king or politician. “Perceiving then that (the people) were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.” Jesus will not submit to making and enforcing laws that support political preferences or satisfy particular programs for happiness. Jesus wants nothing to do with exercising power over people nor is he here to assure a happily ever after life. Rather than being seized by the peoples’ passions Jesus turns his face toward the Holy One and withdraws to the mountain alone. Jesus turns to the source of Real Power.
Here is the thing. Beginning with Samuel we are forewarned, “Do not turn your back on the Holy One. If you put your faith in kings, monarchs or presidents they will demand your fealty, you will become their slaves and “you will cry out on that day in the face of your sovereign, whom you have chosen for yourselves, and GOD WHOSE NAME IS HOLY will not answer you all that day.” Do not look to kings or presidents to heal, feed and and enforce laws that support your preferences and satisfy your programs for happiness. Do not look to kings or presidents to rescue you from life’s stormy seas. Turn instead to the source of Real Power.
As the psalmist proclaims, “Blessed be the Fount of Justice, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.” (PS 72.18) Every blessing, every mercy, every act of justice originates with God whose name is Holy. This is why we sing, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…” And here is the thing we do not like to hear. When the storm is raging and winds are raising threatening waves around them, Jesus does not still the storm for the terrified disciples. He just shows up to be in it with them. “Here I am. Do not be afraid.” Perhaps he would add, “ I do not come to serve your desires, to legislate your preferences or promise you a happily ever after life. I come to be with you so that you experience the Peace of Real Power no matter what storms rock your life.”
Truly we are living in a storm stricken time. We have lost control of our lives. What seemed settled is unsettled, things we thought were done have been undone. Once a shining city on a hill our country is ruptured and her light is dim. Even the Christian tradition is breached by angry voices demanding they have the right to impose their version of Christian values on the laws and life of society, voices justifying violence to achieve their end, duped into believing Real Power can be centered in a president or king.
What then shall we do? Follow the lead of Jesus, withdraw to the mountain with Jesus remembering, “God whose name is Holy alone does wondrous things.”
