As our nation went to bed with the results of the 2024 election looming over our heads, many of us woke up in a state of wonder. Wonder over what the next four years will entail; wonder over what the results will mean for our nation; wonder over how State and County results will change our cities and quality of living in the coming years. But the wonder that I kept returning to was that of Christian morality and blessing. What is the way of Christian morality in response to a contentious election season? What is the Christian’s greater blessing in the midst of our varied emotions in the days following November 5th?
While social media is and will be flooded with sweeping statements and generalizations about the “Christian response” or the “Christian moral responsibility” in our voting and alignments, I’ve found myself often returning to Jesus’ Beatitudes. In Matthew 5, Jesus lays out the “Blessings” defining the citizens of his heavenly Kingdom. The whole of the Sermon on the Mount continues to reveal how Jesus’ Kingdom citizens live out their citizenship here in the kingdom of earth. While there has been considerable debate over the nature of what the “blessing” entails, most agree that it has to do with both spiritual and earthly dimensions. Those who are “blessed” find their greater blessing in inheriting the “kingdom of heaven,” not power or positions on earth. But they also live out this heavenly blessing on earth for the flourishing of God’s people—and by extension, the society around them. With that in mind, what is Jesus’ Kingdom Blessing in the midst of our political age and kingdom of this world?
Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The Christian’s blessing is not based upon the Christian’s vote, but on being “poor in spirit.” Christian morality is not defined by our political party but our spiritual poverty. As we come to the King in humility and lowliness, we recognize that our hope is not in the kingdoms of this world to save, but the “kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” The Christian’s blessing is not based on our rejoicing, but our mourning. Though everyone desires to “win” on election day, Jesus identifies himself with those who are in a state of mourning. Mourning may come due to loss, grief, physical distress, or emotional pain. But the one consistent thing about those who mourn is that they are the “have nots,” not the “haves.” Jesus’ comfort comes not to those who boast in their political wins, but who mourn their losses. If there is anything we should collectively mourn over, it is the state of our American Church to equate the Christian faith of an otherworldly King with the hope of political power.
Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.“ Christian blessing is not based upon our strength—political, societal, cultural, etc.—but meekness. Jesus reminds us of the radically upside-down nature of his Kingdom: that the world will not be obtained by strong-armed displays of power, but meekness that lays down one’s lives, and rights, for the sake of others.
Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and xthirst yfor righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.“ Christian blessing is not based on being in perpetual satisfaction in the world, but perpetual need. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness recognize the malnourishment the filling of the world brings, and long for a greater filling that no party or powers in this world can fill. Satisfaction comes to those who wait, not settling for the temporal gain of political seats in their favor, but grasping for the eternal gain of a seat with the King in heaven.
Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are zthe merciful, for they shall receive mercy.“ Christian blessing is not based upon enacting judgment upon our enemies or for our own gain, but extending mercy. Showing mercy requires taking a loss so that others can be uplifted. Those who have received the mercy of Jesus remember the sacrifice of our Lord, and are moved in compassion to proclaim and embody that same mercy to others. Mercy maintains a posture of humility, seeking the greater good of others, not pride, which disadvantages others for our own gain. As we reflect on our political engagement, we must always be asking the question, “How would our Lord, in mercy and meekness, sacrifice himself for the good of others?”
Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are athe pure in heart, for bthey shall see God.“ Christian blessing is not based upon right answers, right votes, right parties, or right policies, but a right heart. Purity of heart is gained not through self-righteousness over one’s political stances, but humble repentance before the only one who can actually declare one righteous and purify our hearts. Far greater than seeing our political party, power or person enthroned in America is standing before the throne of heaven and seeing our King in all his glory.
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are cthe peacemakers, for dthey shall be called esons1 of God.“ Christian blessing is not given to those who attack, divide, tear down, and revile, but those who seek peace. In a world of snap judgments and quick accusations, sons of God embrace the peace the Son of God came to make between us and the Father, and exude the same desire to see peace reign in our communities—peace between man, and between man and God.
Matthew 5:10–12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Finally, Christian blessing is not bestowed upon those who wield power over others, but who are persecuted under the power of another. The longest—and greatest—sign of Jesus’ Kingdom blessing in the Beatitudes is for those who stand up under persecution for the King, and continue to declare allegiance to our heavenly nation, not the nation of this world.
As we consider the next four years, far be it from us to forget that Jesus came not in power and strength to overthrow Rome and establish his Kingdom on earth, but in meekness and sacrifice to inaugurate the radical revolution of the gospel. Jesus’ political revolution was not a loud and boisterous one, but quiet and unassuming. Wherever the Church finds itself in political history, may she never define herself by her social power or influence, but her ability to withstand the persecutions and tempting prodding of the world. Rather, may the people of God be defined by our resilience to stand firm for the Kingdom and our King’s values—ones which will make us unpopular and reviled by any and all political parties. As “sojourners and aliens” (1 Pet 2:11), we should not expect nor seek to position ourselves into power, but humbly stand firm on the rock of Christ (Matthew 7:24–27) and await the coming of our King who will know us by our fruit of righteousness, not the fruit of our politics (Matthew 7:15–23).
Fallen but Forgiven 