‘You Guys Are at the Wrong Rally!’

Maybe it’s just me, but the relentless coverage of the upcoming election seems like the news media equivalent to “The Never-Ending Story.” Constant harangues and personal attacks, promises and pledges, lies and half-truths, all designed to sway voters and win or retain elective offices. With less than two weeks to go until Election Day, I’m already worn out by the whole spectacle. 

 

Most of it seems like things repeated over and over, but occasionally something comes up that causes us to pause and think, “Hmm.” One of those somethings occurred at a recent campaign rally. During the gathering someone shouted, “Jesus is Lord!” The speaker at the podium quickly responded, “You guys are at the wrong rally.” Hmm.

 

It’s not clear what the candidate meant. Perhaps that such exclamations are more suited to a church service or religious meeting. Or that they’re usually expressed by people supporting the other candidate. Or it might have been saying that references about Jesus don’t belong in political settings. As if to say, ‘There’s no place for Him here.’

 

Regardless of the retort’s intent, it missed the mark. Because as missionary Hudson Taylor wisely said, “Jesus is either Lord of all, or He’s not Lord at all.” Whether it’s a political rally, sporting event, classroom, courtroom, restroom, restaurant, or even on a roadway, Jesus is Lord. Even if we’d rather He wasn’t.

 

Many of us tend to compartmentalize, especially when it comes to matters of faith. We put on “Sunday smiles” at church – as a friend of mine termed it – but 95 percent of the time we behave as practical atheists. We like the idea that Jesus is our Savior, but not so sure about Him being our Lord. But it’s an all or nothing proposition.

 

I came across this observation by a fellow blogger named Benjamin Moore (I don’t think he’s related to the paint guy): “Jesus is Lord over all, and there is no middle ground…. Jesus’ authority over the kings and leaders of the earth is uncontested, and His rule supersedes all human governments. Jesus’ lordship has both present and future relevance in our lives.” This includes political rallies and civic proceedings, no matter who’s sponsoring them.

 

But this isn’t just the opinion of Hudson Taylor, Mr. Moore, or my own. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that like it or not, Jesus Christ is Lord and He desires – and deserves – to be honored as such. 

 

Speaking to a large group in the polytheistic city of Athens, the apostle Paul observed, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth…” (Acts 17:24). Along with this, the gospel of John opens with this declaration: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:1-3).

 

When the Bible says, “everything” and “all things,” it means…everything and all things. No exceptions.

 

We could cite hundreds of other passages about the lordship of Jesus Christ, but one that immediately comes to mind is 1 Chronicles 29:11, “Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all.”

 

For many of us, the upcoming election is a cause for anxiety and angst. ‘What if my candidates don’t win? What will happen?’ Those are valid concerns, but our fears subside if we're willing to consider them within the context of the biblical reality that indeed, Jesus is Lord.

 

His closest disciples came to this realization, providing the impetus for their mission to take the Gospel to the world. One day after Jesus had made several challenging statements, many people chose to follow Him no longer.  Turning to His 12 closest disciples, He asked if they too were thinking about leaving. Simon Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God” (John 6:67-69).

 

After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to all of His disciples except for Thomas, whom we know as the one who was always doubting. So, when Jesus appeared again to His closest followers, He offered proof to Thomas, showing Him the wounds in His hands and His side. The dubious disciple’s reaction was to declare, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).

 

One of the most amazing, yet humbling passages in the Scriptures concerns the universal response Jesus will receive upon His promised second coming. It applies to believers and nonbelievers alike: “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).

 

At that moment no one will argue that cries of “Jesus is Lord!” aren’t appropriate for their rally. Even today, whether in our homes, our workplaces, the grocery store or the golf course, Jesus indeed is Lord. May God in His grace and mercy enable more and more people to come to this understanding.