David Bahn – Reflections

Mark 1:14-15

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, ¹⁵ and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Today is election day. I’m glad it’s finally here and hope it goes my way. There are things at stake that touch on Christian values and truths. My concern over this election has much to do with such matters as abortion, freedom of religious expression, and government intrusion.

Even though I am strongly supportive of a particular candidate, I’ve not mentioned it in worship nor made a public statement about my political leanings for two reasons. The first is that I want to put nothing in the way of anyone’s salvation other than the cross of Jesus Christ. The second reason is because I am a servant of the Kingdom of God, not the kingdom of this world. I will do my civic duty. I will vote. I will express my opinion respectfully. But my primary allegiance is to God’s Kingdom.

That reality is powerfully expressed on the part of Jesus as he begins his public ministry. Mark records Jesus message. It boils down to these few words, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

There is good news. God has intervened in human history. He has reconciled the world to himself. He has sent his Son to be our Savior. We needed a Savior: Repent! We have a Savior: Believe that! Believe in that! Let that truth and reality shape your heart, your life’s decisions, and your pursuits.

God’s kingdom is at hand. Jesus is present. He reigns over all. But his reign is not that of a political pundit or political strategist. His reign is a reign of grace in the hearts of his people. Jesus reigns in our hearts because he has redeemed us. He has rescued us. He rules our hearts because of his love and by the influence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Now is the time. It’s not just November 6; it’s election day – a propitious time, a time of great significance. It is a kairos moment, an opportune time of God’s intervention in the affairs of man. Something big is happening: the Kingdom of God is breaking into our world and life.

What is particularly striking to me is the political and worldly context of Jesus’ message. John has been put in prison. He doesn’t belong there. This is unjust in every possible way. He will even die in prison. Yet Jesus’ message has nothing to do with the injustice of the politics, but of the reality of God’s reign over all.

Martin Luther is supposed to have said, “I would rather be ruled by a wise Turk [Muslim] than a foolish Christian.” Though no one has found the primary source of the statement, it sounds rather Luther-like to me.

Finally, however, I want to live under Christ in his Kingdom and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness (Luther’s Small Catechism, Second Article of the Apostle’s Creed Explanation) until he comes again. In the mean time the kingdoms of this world will come and go. Only Christ will reign forever. This is most certainly true.