The term ‘politics’ is often used as a means to manipulate individuals, govern their activities, and generate unfair profits. Throughout history, unscrupulous figures have exploited politics to sway the unsuspecting masses. Politics reigns supreme in the halls of power. The word has been so tarnished that its mere mention can unsettle any person with good intentions. Yet, as language is our tool for communication, it is hard to envision another method to establish order besides politics. Thus, politics and the gospel may be seen as interchangeable when the goal is to create order for the betterment of humankind.
Jesus came to enlighten the world’s people. There seems to be no term more powerful to describe the establishment of order than politics. This suggests that Jesus was as much a political figure as he was a religious leader, due to His divine origin. He often referred to the Kingdom of God, as a political entity that brings order to worldly affairs. This perspective allows for a deeper understanding of Jesus beyond the traditional religious context. His opposition was based on the concern over his potential political impact.
Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” (Mark 4:30-32 NKJV).
The parable does not depict a religious evolution, but rather a unifying influence throughout humanity. Thus, the gospel represents an ideology that aims to establish order within a chaotic setting. In a realm of disorder, only a minority prosper. These individuals, swayed by malevolent forces, resist the gospel, employing various deceptions to undermine its potency. One such deception is diminishing it to the status of just another worldly religion.
The effectiveness of a mustard seed is shown as not enforced, but growing without enforcing its way up. Its existence might not be noticed at first, but progressing to become an influential force. It differs from the other seeds in that it focuses on human survival, rather than focusing on itself. Its power lies in that it is irresistible to those coming into contact with it. Jesus used another parable to further illustrate the significance of the gospel.
And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” (Matthew 13:20-21 NKJV).
At first, imperceptible, the introduction of a leavening agent eventually causes the entire batch to rise. This illustrates the pervasive power of influence, which can spread quietly and effortlessly, yet ultimately saturates the entire system. Jesus taught that the transformation of society is achievable solely through the gospel. Whereas the pursuit of war seeks to impose order, it often leads to disorder. In comparison, the gospel, despite resistance, represents the most effective means to achieve these ends.
This teaches us that it is unwise to believe that one is powerless to effect change. A person can make a significant impact on improving their surroundings, regardless of where they are. Many people may feel indifferent due to the seemingly overwhelming challenges they face. However, even if an individual’s influence seems minor, it can have a profound effect. Such efforts can contribute substantially to transforming the environment as desired.
Another aim of the gospel is to prepare ordinary individuals for the Kingdom of God. Adapting to a new order is one of the greatest challenges for humans. The gospel’s power lies in transforming minds to be receptive to the gospel. Those seeking order should understand that no system can surpass the one established by Jesus. Followers of Jesus should not lose hope amidst the world’s chaotic conditions. It involves doing the right thing at any given moment.
The gospel represents the Good News about the imminent Kingdom of God. Those truly moved by the virtues of this Kingdom should advocate for it, fully grasping its potential influence. Our newspapers are frequently brimming with tales of political turmoil, corruption, strife, and sickness. Contentment with the present situation is seldom found. Amidst the turmoil, only a handful of people thrive. While many yearn for change, the path to initiate it often remains elusive.
The gospel is seen as a political force aimed at restoring order in a tumultuous world, yet its attempts have largely been ineffective for humanity. No approach has yielded lasting peace globally. Presently, China seems to be the sole nation exemplifying a successful political administration. However, its economic strength is partly due to the exploitation of less savvy African nations. Unless China’s model is replicated worldwide, it too is deemed unsuccessful, akin to other purportedly dominant countries.
Chinese policies appear to be well-crafted for the welfare of its citizens. Yet, it raises the question of their resilience against external opposition. The world largely adheres to a self-centred philosophy, with each nation prioritizing the protection of its own citizens over international interests. Failures are often attributed to introversion, considered impractical. Wars have made global governance difficult, frequently originating from nationalistic introversion. Furthermore, nuclear arsenals present a threat to global security, posing risks to all nations, including China. It is impossible to establish hope, under such circumstances.
The failure of a self-centred philosophy lies in the prevailing competition, where each nation prioritizes its own citizens’ benefits over others. While China seems to be successfully providing for its people, the exploited African continent may eventually retaliate. New leaders might recognize the longstanding exploitation. Similar to the downfall of colonialism, China’s self-centred approach is likely unsustainable. Without addressing the true cause of global human instability, achieving safety remains elusive.
Altruism, the antithesis of self-centeredness, advocates for prioritizing the needs of others over one’s own. This principle is exemplified by the ethic of reciprocity: treating others as one wishes to be treated. For example, China publicly denounces corruption among its own people, yet turns a blind eye to it when it occurs beyond its borders. This approach has allowed China to benefit from dealings with countries led by corrupt officials. Despite being aware that such practices are detrimental to these African nations, China adopts a stance of non-alignment to exploit the situation to its advantage.
The self-centred philosophy, as practised by China towards other nations, can also be adopted by individuals. It can manifest on a personal scale when one individual acquires multiple properties, often at the expense of fellow citizens. Those without property may admire such individuals, aspiring to be like them, perceiving them as more intelligent. Yet, this can lead to tension among others who perceive injustice and desire a more equitable distribution of resources. Nonetheless, the downside of good governance is that it offers no advantages to the corrupt people.
Condemning corruption often alienates those who profit from it. While corrupt individuals dislike facing prejudice themselves, they tolerate it when it benefits them. For example, in Zimbabwe, there’s a persistent outcry against corrupt police officers. Yet, those who most frequently complain are often lawbreakers who subsequently exploit these corrupt officers. For instance, someone guilty of an offence might be fined US$100 but opts to bribe a police officer with $10, saving $90. Ironically, this individual might then publicly denounce the corruption within the police force, highlighting the hypocrisy inherent in a corrupt society.
It is widely recognized that leaders of Western democracies often vocally oppose the misgovernance of corrupt African leaders. Yet, these same African leaders deposit their ill-gotten gains into banks within these Western democracies, which in turn profit from this stolen wealth. For example, Switzerland permits banking for all, without inquiring about the origins of the funds. Similarly, while China may not be faulted for accepting such wealth, they are cognizant of the impropriety of profiting from it. Essentially, this reflects a global governance, rife with hypocrisy. This spells out what is wrong with our planet, where self-centredness prevails.
Hardened criminals are frequently condemned universally without consideration of the underlying reasons for their criminal behaviour. We inhabit a world where numerous individuals feign virtue, overlooking their contribution to the prevailing criminality. An observer with an altruistic perspective can easily detect the prevalent duplicity. Yet, in a society controlled by a mafia-like power structure, implementing change poses a formidable obstacle. Acknowledging these realities, the argument against hypocrisy highlights the necessity for a just superpower to ensure the triumph of order.
Christian organizations, which profess to follow Jesus, often diverge from His teachings, particularly regarding hypocrisy. The presence of denominational Christianity starkly reveals a departure from applying Jesus’ instructions. Nonetheless, Jesus effectively rebuked those who took on authoritarian roles not prescribed by His teachings, as seen in Matthew 23:8-12. He reproved the Pharisees, whose conduct mirrors that found in many denominational entities today.
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?” (Matthew 23:13-17 NKJV).
The gospel should not be mistaken for the Jewish religion, as it is distinct from it. This distinction was a primary cause of frustration for the Jews who anticipated that He would establish some form of religious practice. Instead, Jesus emphasized practical wisdom over the creation of another religion. His teachings frequently promoted altruism, encapsulated by the principle of loving one’s neighbour as oneself. If Jesus had prescribed specific dos and don’ts within His teachings, He might have convinced more Jews to become His followers at that time. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the law, although Spiritual, pertains to the physical realm.
The gospel advocates a principle more aligned with love than hatred. Consider the impact of all humans adopting altruistic behaviour. Emulating the heart of the Good Samaritan doesn’t require enforcement, but a natural inclination to assist others. Envision a world where the pursuit of profit is supplanted by the fulfilment found in serving rather than being served. Such a world stands in stark contrast to the current state of affairs, embodying the civilization envisioned in the gospel. It’s essentially about supplanting self-centeredness with altruism, an arrangement that is neither complex nor inherently religious.
Anyone who applies common sense will not find the teachings of Jesus complex. Politics has strayed from its original intent due to the corruption that has engulfed it in a self-centred world. The word “politics” now often carries a negative connotation due to its negative impact on humanity. Originally, politics referred to the methods and activities involved in governing a state or organization, intending to maintain order. It was meant to improve human life conditions.
The Gospel centres on the Good News of God’s Kingdom. The news is deemed good for a clear reason: altruism offers humanity the sole hope of coexisting peacefully, free from today’s adverse conditions. It promotes a mindset geared towards serving others rather than expecting to be served. Love will replace the prevailing hatred born from racial bias and various forms of intolerable prejudices. Respect will be accorded to every individual, irrespective of their background. On being asked whether He was a politician, Jesus responded positively.
Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.” But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place” (Luke 23:1-5 NKJV).
His accusers were accurate in stating that Jesus claimed to be Christ the King, but it was misleading to accuse Him of “forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar.” This false claim was designed to support the allegations against Jesus’ claim to be King. Jesus never refuted His destiny to become a political figure. However, Pilate disregarded the false charge that Jesus had evaded paying taxes to Caesar. The text does not explain Pilate’s reasons for not considering the tax evasion claim significant, nor does it address Jesus’ proclamation of His royal birthright.
Jesus Christ should be viewed as a political figure destined to supplant all earthly kingdoms. Although His influence is currently impeded by those deemed imposters within Christianity, it is believed that He will soon establish His Kingdom. This Kingdom is not seen as a threat, but rather as a source of order that will bring peace globally. The core message of the gospel revolves around proclaiming the imminent establishment of Jesus’ Kingdom, where other aspects are considered secondary.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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