From a political standpoint, Jesus’ entrance into time could not be more opportune. God raised up the 12 sons of Jacob to be the nation of Israel; a vessel through which He would show His lovingkindness and mercy; a nation through which all the world would be blessed. Israel through many failures, arrived at the Davidic kingdom. This brought a time of defeat of their enemies, growth in wealth and devotion to God. It was prophesied that through this dynasty God would save Israel and by extension, the world through David’s offspring.

But Solomon, despite his wisdom, failed to be consistently devoted to God. Then the kingdom split between north and south. And on either side, there were disappointments in leadership until they were both eventually invaded and exiled. The southern kingdom which was exiled to Babylon was eventually allowed to rebuild. But even though God’s plan for them as a national theocracy had ended, they continued to look for the Messiah, the son of David, to take them out of their political funk and restore their former glory as a nation.

In the fullness of time God intervened. The triune God, three persons yet one being, sent the second person of the Godhead to enter His own creation. He grew up as an infant. His life was threatened by the political directorate but be spared by the hand of God. He grew to adulthood to preach a message primarily to Israel. It was a message that Israel needed to repent of their sin and believe in Him because the kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:15). Some tried for Him to speak out against the Roman occupiers by refusing to pay taxes. But He told them to give Rome what they deserved but most importantly, to give to God what is owed to Him (Mark 12:17). When a Roman soldier coerces you to carry his luggage for a mile, ‘go the extra mile’ (Matthew 5:41). Jesus credited a Roman centurion’s faith to be greater than the Israelites at that time when He healed his slave (Luke 7:1-10). Jesus did not come in this advent to turn over the earthly governments, even the once theocratic government of Israel. Jesus came to establish the kingdom of God in the hearts of men.

Nonetheless, Jesus leaned in on their expectations. After gaining a reputation as a prophet, a supernatural worker of miracles and having the lineage of the son of David, some began to see Him as the political Messiah for which they were waiting. Matthew 21:1-11 outlines how Jesus supernaturally organises a young donkey for Him to ride into Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. This was to fulfil the messianic prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. The people received Him as their political messiah. They spread their coats on the road for the mounted Jesus to walk on, a sign of royal procession. They shouted “Hosanna” which means “save us now, O Lord”. Also, they said “blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Both statements are references to Psalm 118:25-26. They were probably saying this is it: the divine king is going to rout the Romans, reestablish the throne of David and Israel is going to be great again!

The next day, Jesus cleansed the temple and healed the sick and lame. He did nothing further to tear down the Roman oppression, but He angered the religious authorities who did not believe in Him. That very week they conspired to have Him killed. They handed Him over to the Romans on trumped up charges. And when the Roman governor had the opportunity to pardon Jesus, the Israelites demanded that Barabbas be pardoned instead. Barabbas was the messiah they liked, an insurrectionist against Roman occupation, not a rabbi calling for people to repent and put their trust in Him. The crowds went from “Hosanna” to “crucify Him” in the span of a few days. Jesus was murdered by the hands of men, under the will of God to be a sacrifice or propitiation for the sin of those who would believe in Him. Then 3 days later, He rose to new life, being the first fruits of those who will live with Him in His new kingdom that He will establish after the destruction of this world.

We too can find ourselves hoping in earthly messiahs. We live in this world, and we want it to improve. God has appointed earthly governments to rule and to keep order. Many times, they fail us because they cannot be perfect. While they are responsible for their failures, we have a hope. We have a hope in a gospel message to first rule and reign in men’s hearts. This gospel change that will occur on an individual basis and the hope is that it will spread out to a nation. When we see the dysfunction that is politics both locally and internationally, we are reminded that our kingdom is not of this world but of the world to come. Let us populate God’s kingdom through the message of the gospel, all while being good and exemplary citizens of this earthly kingdom.