The State of the Union and Why Jesus Wouldn’t Run for President

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, the president will give his annual State of the Union address to Congress. Even putting the best face on it, the U.S. and its political system are in deep trouble. Yet if Jesus Christ was here now, He wouldn’t run for president. Why?

“Mr. Speaker, the president of the United States!”

Tuesday night, Jan. 24, that announcement will be followed by perhaps five minutes of standing ovation from both sides of the Congress and all the guests who are present.

Then will follow the State of the Union message delivered by the president.

The applause

Traditionally the speech is punctuated by applause at key points. Some of it is sincere; some of it, grudging. Often the applause is more out of respect for the office of president than perhaps for the person who holds the most powerful position in the West and possibly in the world.

The message

The State of the Union speech is intended as an opportunity for the president to bring the nation up to date with what has been done over the past year and to state what is ahead—the administration’s priorities for what is yet to be accomplished.

Like all political speeches, these messages are well-crafted and reviewed by many advisers and very talented writers. Many times the past is cleverly explained away and the future is made to appear shining bright—with a promise of hope and success for all.

Where are we today?

But as we look across the spectrum of U.S. politics today, we see an increasingly divided nation with people choosing sides, and not always in a very nice way. Accusations of lies and exaggerations only add to the growing confusion about who or what is right and wrong.

For many, things look bleak on the economic front, with the number of people receiving food stamp aid skyrocketing and long-term unemployment affecting millions. Yet populist movements on both ends of the political spectrum point to bankers and elites getting wealthier in the midst of financial suffering for so many.

Is the country heading for a showdown between a tiny elite at the very top who are very wealthy and the vast majority of citizens at the bottom? Think of the scene from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist when Oliver is very hungry and comes to the master with bowl in hand and says, “Please, sir, I want some more.” Many in the media, politics and religion are suggesting a scenario such as this is developing.

With all the problems besetting the country, many are crying out for change. They want a real solution, not more of the same old politics. Can any of the candidates really provide that? Where would we find the perfect candidate?

If Jesus walked the earth today …

Could we convince Jesus Christ to run for president? As we have taught for many, many years, the answer is an emphatic no! He would not get involved in the politics and governments of this world.

In Matthew 4:8-10, Satan offered Jesus the kingdoms of this world—all of them. Satan wanted Christ to bow down to him and worship him.

What did Jesus say to Satan? “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve” (verse 10). The conditions were untenable—it was utterly impossible for Him to even consider. So Satan slunk away defeated, and yet he continues to rule, influence and deceive all nations—but only for a short while longer.

In John 18:36 Jesus told His enemies that if His Kingdom was of this age, then His servants would fight. “But now My kingdom is not from here,” said Christ.

The real solution

The Kingdom of God that Christ will be King of Kings and Lord of Lords over will be brought to this earth from the Father.

Christ will be the chief administrator (or President, Emperor or King). Satan will be bound, and a truly righteous ruler will be here. “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice” (Proverbs 29:2).

All of the trials that plague this earth—poverty, murder, starvation, greed, injustice and all kinds of lawlessness and wickedness—will be gone.

“Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. … The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:7). What an incredible time to look forward to!

For more about our coming King and His wonderful Kingdom, see The Mystery of the Kingdom.

Paul Suckling, a native of England, is now a pastor in New England for the Church of God, a Worldwide Association.