In the heat of political advocacy, it’s easy to focus on short term victories and lose sight of what really matters. Easter reminds us which Kingdom ultimately matters.
Paul Simon’s 1972 hit “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” describes a boy in custody scheduled to be taken away. “But the press let the story leak; now when the radical priest come to get me released, we were all on the cover of Newsweek.” That was the image of socially involved Christianity in the late 1960s and early 70s: church leaders following a social action agenda built on sources like pacifism and liberation theology.
By the 2020s, the image of socially involved Christians has shifted significantly. Even though liberal Christians are still more likely to be politically involved, the sheer volume of conservative activism means that’s the common image of Christian political action.
Though their actions work in different directions, these politically active church people share a common mistake. One group works to get the government to tax the rich and ban internal combustion engines; the other works to restore public affirmations of religion and end foreign military entanglements. The mistake they share is acting like getting the government to implement the right policies is the most important thing the church can contribute to a good society.
Yes, Jesus did say it was important to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. These simple acts of charity are ways to follow the God who sends the sun and rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. People need bread to live. And they need something more. Jesus declared, “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 So Jesus urged the crowds, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life…” John 6:27
The Kingdom above is the true power. Though Jesus looks weak before Pilate, it’s only because we can’t see the true power. Jesus explains, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting… But my kingdom is not from the world… For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” John 18:36-37
A second moment was when Jesus comforted the disciples before His arrest. “In my Father’s house are many rooms… And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:2-3 But if there is no Kingdom of truth beyond this world, then there is no place for Jesus to prepare so the disciples can be with Jesus in the future. That word of comfort becomes simply an empty promise if there is no life beyond this one.
But there is a Kingdom beyond all earthly kingdoms. It’s a Kingdom of holiness and peace, of justice and compassion, of righteousness and grace. It’s easy to overlook because we can’t measure it or touch it or see it. But it is, to borrow a phrase, the most real thing of all.
It’s not a bad thing to work for social progress; those programs matter. It is, though, important to work for social progress in ways that reflect the eternal Kingdom. Building a just society matters, but what matters more is following the justice and mercy of Jesus and living humbly before Him. Living in faithfulness to the values of that kingdom is the most important thing the church can contribute to society.
