The militant messiah whom the people wanted would have brought an army into Jerusalem and attacked the Roman garrison known as the Antonia Fortress. That is not where Jesus went, however. Jesus went to the temple of God. He didn’t go after the pagans of Rome; he went after his own people who had gone astray and were misleading others.
The supreme issue for Jesus was not Rome’s army but God’s people. It was at his house where the cleaning would begin. Jesus recognized that as long as things were wrong with Israel’s worship, they could never have their nation right. The Bible says that judgment begins at the house of God (see 1 Peter 4:17). It also tells us that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34 NKJV).
I think in some ways as a church, we sometimes spend too much time and attention trying to bring about governmental change. We believe this will help our culture and society. In a sense it will, and in a sense it won’t. It is my firm conviction that every Christian should register to vote and should vote for candidates that best represent our beliefs. We need to do what we can.
People will say the problem is the government, or the problem is the president, or the problem is Congress. But God says the problem is his people. Notice that Jesus didn’t say the problem was with the Roman authorities. He didn’t say the problem was with those in the Roman Senate. He didn’t say the problem was the economy of the time.
The fact of the matter is that Jesus concentrated his energies on his people. Here is what God said as he assessed a culture and gave his prescription for revival: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV).
Notice where God points His finger: “If My people…will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways…” People say the government should do this, or they should do that. God is saying, in effect, “Make sure you are living godly lives. Make sure you have turned from your sin.” That’s where revival will begin. The true change in America’s conscience and soul will come from a spiritual awakening.
Taken from my weekly column at World Net Daily.
This article originally appeared here.
