Vote

The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked him, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?” Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” [John 19.7-11]

Who is really in charge?

Pilate thought he was. But, he wasn't.

So it goes with politics all over the globe today. I suppose it is not ironic that this topic would be part of the OYCB daily reading today, Election Day in the USA.

The leadership of nations is in the hand of God. But how do we process Jesus' words above, "the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin" ?

How (if at all) does Jesus' statement relate to our present circumstances today?

Perhaps it is a stretch to arrive at this conclusion from this passage of scripture, but it occurs to me that those who elect a political official actually carry more burden of responsibility than the elected official himself.

In the USA, the people elect their officers. What the officers do reflects the nature and will of the people. If the elected officials represent that which is evil (as defined in the Bible), then the burden of that responsibility - the sin - lies upon those who elected them.

Voting, therefore, privilege as it may be, is a responsibility of great significance!

Father, help us in the USA to understand that the burden of responsibility for the morality of our nation rests upon us - the people. Forgive us for being lax in our involvement in all things political.