PREFACE: Imagine if you can, the Jesus revealed in the Bible, 

running as an American Presidential candidate in the current 

election cycle. What type of response do you think he would 

encounter in the various caucuses around the country? What would 

the response be among the other candidates, especially since the  

personal identification with religion has seemed to take a higher 

than normal priority? How would the stand of Jesus on any and all 

issues differ with those of the other candidates? I believe that 

if Jesus were lterally included as a candidate, it would be the 

most memorable election in United States history, regardless of 

the election outcome. And that's presuming that Jesus actually 

lived till the election! After all, the first time around, Jesus 

received a very democratic death!

In this day of highly charged debates surrounding both politics 

and religion, it is interesting indeed to contemplate the idea of 

Jesus as a political figure. Obviously, you will have some who 

will advocate all sides of this issue, but I prefer to allow the 

words of Jesus Himself to determine the political nature of this 

controversial Jew. It's the least we can do, since Pilate chose to 

take the same course in dealing with Jesus.

We find Pilate confronting Jesus when brought to Him by the Jewish 

leadership. He gets right to the point. He asks Jesus about his 

Kingship. This is to be expected in the day and time, seeing that 

Rome was constantly having to suppress Jewish rebellion. Rather 

than responding in like resistance and opposition to Roman 

authority, Jesus responds with legal precision. His pleading, "My 

Kingdom is not of this world. If it were, then would my servants 

fight to prevent me from being delivered to you." immediately 

informs Pilate that Jesus was not attempting to usurp Rome, but 

instead was operating outside the jurisdiction of Roman power. 

Upon further examination, Pilate was left with no legal alternative 

than to judge in favor of Jesus with the pronouncement to the Jews, 

"I find no fault in Him." 

Interestingly, Jesus never denied having a Kingdom or being a King. 

Simply put, Jesus was not considered a threat to Roman authority, 

which was the crux of Pilate's inquiry. After all, Pilate was 

responsible to see that the interests of Rome were upheld and 

enforced at all times. If the actions or words of Jesus constituted 

a threat to Roman rule, appropriate measures would have been swiftly 

taken.

So, if Jesus had a Kingdom and was King of this realm, why wasn't he 

harshly dealt with as a political insurrectionist? Why was His 

innocence declared in the face of these legal facts? Could it be that 

Jesus operated in a political jurisdiction which was off limits to 

the reach of Rome? Or maybe Rome's reach was limited. If so, what 

type of entity would allow for official recognition, yet limited 

jurisdiction by Imperial Rome? Maybe the words of Jesus will give 

insight again.

At some point within the 3 1/2 year ministry of Jesus, he made an 

announcement to His Disciples. He stated, "I will build my church,..." 

This is significant in the fact that the word translated "church" is 

the Greek word "Ekklesia." It is a strict political and legal term 

which refers to a called out assembly of male citizens who conduct the 

political affairs of their group. This term used by Jesus stood in 

contrast to terms already in use in Roman Law, such as corporation. It 

also contrasted the Jewish synagogue, also legally recognized in Roman 

Law. 

Not long before the crucifixion was to take place, Jesus was speaking 

to the Jewish Religious Leaders and He had made a pronouncement they 

couldn't find comforting. He told them that "The Kingdom of God will 

be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruit 

thereof." The religious leaders of that Day had forfeited the right to 

rule with God's approval. They would shortly find themselves without a 

land of borders, with a capitol city destroyed by Roman wrath. Within 

this context would the modern political manifestation known as the 

Ekklesia be birthed. The interests of Jesus for His people, those who 

believe in the literal death burial and resurrection of Jesus, would be 

fulfilled in this separate political institution.

We see this reflected in the writings of the Disciples of Jesus whom He 

commissioned to take His message to the entire World. The Roman Empire 

is still feeling the effects of this political activism, whereby the 

political citizens of the nations of this World are presented with 

citizenship in another Nation. This Nation without earthly borders are 

commanded to live as aliens while residing on this earth, presenting 

the rights and privileges of another realm to those who are foreigners 

to this Heavenly Kingdom.

And the modern manifestation of Rome, the United States, reflects this 

reality within her body of Law, known strictly as Roman or Civil Law. 

The Ekklesia of God's people have been provided the legal means to 

live according to the commands of Jesus without coming in direct 

conflict with the powers that be, just as Jesus did. After all, didn't 

Jesus tell Pilate that "The power that you possess was given to you 

from above."? How much more political can you get?