How Will Jesus Vote in the 2016 US Presidential Election?

It is an election campaign unlike any other seen in the United States. Yes, like the others, it is long and drawn out. What makes this campaign different is the ‘populism and polarisation.’ Yes, there has been shameless mudslinging: one candidate is called ‘sexist’ and ‘racist’ while the other is simply labelled ‘crooked.’ One candidate ignores accusations of being ‘inexperienced’ while the other is accused of being ‘too experienced’ in lying, corruption, and using office for influence peddling. It is an election where everyone has an opinion. One candidate represents a populist revolt of a first-time candidate while the other has been in the spotlight and political establishment for 25 years.

What are we to make of this US presidential election? Can anyone lead the US out of the estranged, highly charged atmosphere that this campaign brings?

Yet, for our purposes, we seek the opinion of the most important One of all. How would Jesus Christ vote in the 2016 US Presidential election?

There are three possible answers and amazingly they are all have validity.

Option One: Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords, does not vote. He does not belong to the Democratic Party, Republican Party, independent party, indeed, any party. This is standard fare in constitutional monarchies. The sovereign is above politics, is not a politician, is not a member of a political party, and does not cast a vote at all. When the pre-incarnate Christ was asked by a curious Joshua son of Nun if He was for Joshua and the Israelites side or for the Jericho and Canaanite side? Answer: Neither. I have not come to take sides but to take over (Joshua 5:14). Eventually the kingdoms of this world must give way to the kingdom of Christ.

Option Two: Jesus Christ will vote. God takes an active interest in the affairs of humankind. Romans 13:1 says:

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

In the history of Israel and Judah, God spoke (voted) His assessment of each of the kings. Israel had 19 kings and Judah 20. In God’s assessment, all of Israel’s kings were deemed ‘evil’ and of Judah’s only eight were called ‘good.’ The Lord’s declaration was not based on military prowess or economic management. It was based on character and compliance to God’s Word. The often used phrase was ‘He (the king) did that which was right in the sight of the LORD.’

Remember, bad people can never be good leaders, no matter how clever they are in the political, military, or economic realms. Jesus said it best ‘A good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit’ (Matthew 7:18). Character counts. The great leader of average intelligence can always hire ‘brains’ and of moderate ability can always hire ‘competence.’ However, the good leader cannot hire integrity and character. These are things that must already be operative in his or her life. Not only does God assess each leader on character, He is completely able to promote and demote any politician or candidate at will (Psalm 75:6-7).

Option Three: Jesus will vote through us. First, let’s get this straight: no politician, however intelligent, competent, clever and well-meaning, will be able to solve the massive political, economic, and social problems the United States faces. These problems are also mirrored in much of the western world, including Australia, Canada, and the UK. A great leader will make progress, a bad one will set the country back.

The reason that politicians alone are not the solution is that at the core society’s problems are spiritual; therefore, the answers are equally spiritual. So if the Godly seek the LORD for the election and follow the time-honoured counsel of II Chronicles 7:14, the classic verse on revival, which says:

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

then God promises to hear, forgive, and heal the land. After years of moral decline, plus a bruising US election campaign, it is obvious that America can use some healing. The prayers of the righteous are the way to get it.

Vote in the heavens first: The American presidential campaign has attracted extraordinary international coverage. Millions of non-Americans overseas made it a point to watch the presidential debates. It is not just because of celebrity attraction: as the world’s sole remaining superpower, what happens to America affects the entire world. Regardless of whether you are a voting American or not, a Democrat, Republican, or swing voter, the wisest thing you can do is pray for God’s will in this election. We are commanded to pray for kings and all in authority (I Timothy 2:1-4).

Remember: A vote in the heavens by prayer will affect the voting on earth. The heavenly prayer is the one Christ hears and it can change the course of history. May the best person - the one America needs, not deserves - win.