WWJD On These 3 Major Policy Issues?
Many people have placed Jesus into the realm of modern-day politics, as if politicians are also omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. But let's be real — politicians aren’t as compassionate because they have budgets and they have to deal with colleagues who aren’t always on the same page. And let’s not forget, Jesus didn’t need a paycheck for his contributions to society. The only thing that Jesus and politicians have in common is that the masses depend on them very often. Since we all know that politicians cannot feed 5,000 with just a few loaves of bread and fish, or heal the blind and sick, can we still evaluate what Jesus would do in current politics? I do think we can separate Jesus’ holiness and solely focus on his intentions. Here are three feasible examples of WWJD in modern America. Jesus wouldn't be partisan, but a principled politician.
1. Education
Education, meaning preschool through college, is the “gospel” for a successful life in modern times. Of course, there are several people who prosper without the ingredients, but most people will not end up becoming the next Bill Gates. Regardless, Jesus would have a lot to say about the education of minors, student debt, and unemployment. Jesus believed that the gospel and the teaching of it should be free, and therefore he never took money from his ministry for selfish gain. Instead, he gave back to those in need.
Would Jesus support today’s proposed education reform in favor of improving school systems and decreasing student debt? Maybe, since Jesus believed in fairness. However, Jesus was no fool. He understood economics, even taxes too. Jesus would probably focus most of his proposal on implementing mandatory prayer and biblical studies in school and college systems everywhere. And let’s not forget ... at almost every college, He’d probably recreate the scene when he drove out the greedy people who made a makeshift marketplace in the temple. Then, he would encourage students across the country to joyfully take on unpaid internships and volunteer opportunities.
2. Right to Bear Arms
Many people defend gun control through the Bible. This is my personal belief: God gave us common sense, but only a select few seem to use it. In the times before preservatives, if someone didn’t get food with their bare hands, they needed to bear arms. Jesus didn’t instruct us to starve.
However, if one owns a gun with evil intent so as to avenge or unnecessarily protect themselves, it’s certainly a sin. Paranoia is also a thing of the Devil since Jesus tells us to never fear, but put our trust in him. Now, with all of that in mind, let’s read a popular verse often used by those in favor of gun control. Matthew 22:52-54 says, “Then Jesus said to him, 'Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”'
Today, miracles still happen, but that doesn’t mean that if one believes in Jesus Christ that it’s smart to step onto a battlefield with the hope that 12 legions of angels will come to the rescue. That’s stupidity, not faith. I think Jesus would be in favor of the Second Amendment with a focus on self-defense and subsistence, not “I’m afraid a minority will break and enter.”
But what would Jesus do about the innocent victims, whether men, women or children, of the absence of gun control? Jesus never lived a violent life, but his ended in one of the most violent ways possible. Before his death, he asked his disciples to get weapons. Even though we continue to see horrible killings and mass murders of people of all ages, Jesus would remind the masses that everything, good or bad, serves a purpose, just as his death did. Jesus would change the fundamental way that people can attain guns. Required counseling, Bible classes, background checks, and mental health awareness courses would probably be on his political agenda.
3. Immigration
Chaos is ungodly, and "chaotic" is an understatement of the current status of immigration in America. But would Jesus turn away those in need? Absolutely not!
Leviticus 19:33-34 says, “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” A part of Malachi 3:5 says, “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against… those who oppress the hired worker in his wages… [and] against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.”
The main theme from these two passages is money shouldn’t be the focus of one’s contribution to society. Ultimately, Jesus is all about forgiveness in every aspect, even monetarily and legally.
Although he probably wouldn’t be too fond of lawbreaking, he was once a lawbreaker for a worthier cause than the law when he spread the gospel. Would Jesus cast a vote in favor of amnesty, protection, and legitimization for migrants and undocumented workers? He’d probably consider that they broke the law for a superior cause than the law.
Still, Jesus would try to establish order while maintaining compassion, which might include stricter border patrol, simpler access to legalization through amnesty, but more powerful and inclusive measures than the proposed DREAM Act. Jesus would educate them and provide amenities with the help of his volunteers and followers. And instead of incentives to serve the American government, Jesus would focus on serving his people. Migrants of all ages would probably have the chance to become pastors and teachers in order to be legally forgiven of their status.
