What Would Jesus Vote?

So many times in our Christian life hot button topics of abortion and same-sex marriage monopolize our voting agenda.The way in which we vote for or against same-sex marriage or abortion involves deep wrestling with our relationship with a divine creator and the world around us. And, yet, these are not the only agenda items we have Christian obligation to vote for or against. As Christians, this makes voting complicated. There may not be a perfect candidate for all our values. But there are agendas, laws, and candidates within our cities, states, and nations which may better reflect those things we value because of our faith in Christ.

In the Gospel of Luke, after Jesus has returned from hanging out with the devil in the wilderness, Jesus walks into the synagogue, full up on Holy Spirit and gives his mission statement for his ministry. Quoting Isaiah 61 he boldly proclaims the words - “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19). For the rest of his ministry we see Jesus practicing this mission statement. As followers of Christ, we seek to pattern our lives by his example. So here are some issues Jesus would have voted for (not including same-sex marriage or abortion).

Jesus would have voted…

#1. AGAINST FEAR. I am told that “do not fear” appears 365 times in the Bible. Miraculously, one for everyday of the week. While I have not counted myself, I do know, “do not fear” comes up a lot in my own readings. This year, our church is reading Luke and I am struck over and over again by how many times Jesus says “Do not be Afraid.” When angels appear to Zechariah, Mary, and the Shepherds, the Lord says “Do not be afraid.” When the fisherman are called to be disciples the Lord says, “Do not be afraid.” When the Disciples are stuck on a stormy boat at sea, “Do not be afraid.” Even when it looks like an impending political situation would cause death, Jesus tells the disciples to not fear. Jesus votes against fear.

#2.FOR GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. If there is one thing the Bible speaks about more than being fearless, it is the treatment of the poor. Jesus was sent to give good news to the poor, and part of that good news was encouraging those of us who have to share with those who do not have. Jesus calls us to sell what we have and give to the poor, reminds us that the kingdom of God belongs to the poor, and tells us crazy things like it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus calls and encourages us to share and distribute our possessions to the poor. It is a non-negotiable value within Christ’s mission statement. Closing education gaps in poor school districts? Absolutely! Changing the tax system so that it favors the poor over the rich? Yep. Jesus would vote for the poor.

#3. FOR RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND AND HEALING FOR ALL. Have you ever noticed how Jesus isn’t picky about who he heals? If you read through the gospels you get a sense of Jesus’ universal healing nature. People who talk smack about him, get healed. People who no one else wanted to touch or pay attention to, get healed. Hated tax collectors, get healed. Alleged prostitutes and women, get healed. Even the Centurion's son, get’s healed. Jesus is not picky about who gets healed and he didn’t ask for an insurance card. Could Jesus be the first proponent of universal healthcare? Jesus votes for health.

#4. FOR RELEASE OF THE CAPTIVES. When Jesus quotes from Isaiah 61, about “the year of the Lord’s favor” he is calling us into the Year of Jubilee. A year of ultimate Sabbath to be held every 49 years when debts are forgiven, slaves are returned to their homes, and even the land is released from the burden that it carries. The year of the Lord’s favor, calls each of us to question how, why, and how long our judicial system incarcerates. It also calls us to remember that our land and natural resources need a rest from the way in which we hold them in captivity. Jesus votes pro-environment, for the prisoners, and proclaims the Lord’s favor on all.

#5. FOR THE REFUGEE. Remember how Jesus and his family fled from their country of origin to escape religious and political persecution from a horrible King Herod? Or that verse about how I was naked and you clothed me, a stranger and you invited me in? Yes to those who need housing! Yes to those who need clothes! Yes to those who need a place to lay their head! Yes to the stranger among our midst!

#6. FOR RESPECT FOR PEOPLE. Most people know at least four great Jesus stories - The birth narrative, the resurrection story, the Prodigal Son, and the Good Samaritan. You know the Good Samaritan - the story where the man from Jerusalem was traveling in his own country and was beat up, robbed, and left in a ditch to die. And the people who were expected to save him, the priest and levite who belonged to the man’s religious tradition, didn’t touch him. They walked on by. But the Samaritan, the guy who no one liked, the guy with questionable religious practices, the foreigner who knew no one, was moved with pity and stopped and helped the man. That story starts with Jesus reminding us of the two greatest commandments - to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This is Jesus telling us a story about how the person we are least likely to perceive as our neighbor is actually the one we need to love most deeply. Jesus votes for those who are different than us, nationally and religiously. Jesus votes for respect and dignity for all neighbors, even those we don’t view as neighborly.

#7. WHEN THEY GO LOW, WE GO HIGH. I am not going to argue whether or not this is happening in this election. But, I will say, this sounds like something Jesus would say. In fact, this is something Jesus said. “‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:27-31).


Pray. Vote. Discern. Go out on November 8th. Read your papers, do the research and let your vote reflect the values and beliefs you hold dear. In prayer and discernment, may we commend ourselves, one another, our vote, and all our life, to Christ our God.

Helpful Prayers for Election Day.

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 822).

O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to your merciful care, that, being guided by your Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to the President of the United States, the Governor of this State/Commonwealth, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 820).

Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).