Luke 18:22, Matthew 10:8, Matthew 5: 38-39, Luke 23:34, Matthew 28: 19-20

Richard Townend

It might have escaped your notice, but it's election time.

Unfortunately, I have it on good authority that Jesus will not be standing as a candidate in the forthcoming election, which is a great shame, as I think we could do with him right now.

But suppose, just suppose, that up there with Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Nick Clegg and co was the Right Honourable Jesus Christ, standing in the constituency of Nazareth. In an age when voting apathy is reaching record levels as one scandal after the next engulfs Westminster, the politics of Jesus offer us a radical change. His manifesto would transform this country beyond the wildest dreams of any of the other party leaders.

The Jesus Manifesto

Economy

Luke 18:22
"You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Jesus would not be a fan of our society's obsession with finances and material goods. He'd have some stern words to the fat cats who are lining their pockets whilst millions live in poverty. Jesus' instruction to the rich young man in Luke 18 was hard to swallow and that man simply walked away. Yet it's important to remember that this verse doesn't just apply to those who are rich - it applies to us all if we are to follow Jesus.

Healthcare

Matthew 10:8
"Heal the sick, raise the dead to life, heal people who have leprosy, and force out demons."

Jesus' reforms of healthcare would revolutionise the NHS. He was not one to say that we need more doctors and nurses. Instead He instructs His followers to heal the sick and perform miracles in His name. Imagine the impact this would have! Hospitals would have bed space and overworked medical staff could enjoy a less demanding workload.

Law and order

Matthew 5: 38-39
"You know that you have been taught, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to try to get even with a person who has done something to you. When someone slaps your right cheek, turn and let that person slap your other cheek."

Many people see these words from Jesus as amongst the most challenging in the Bible, and He certainly would struggle to get this message across in a society where people like to 'get even' and 'do unto others like they do to you.'

Jesus leads by example in this. As He hung on the cross, the crowd hurled insults up at Him. Instead of hurling an insult back, Jesus asks for a blessing for them by saying, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34)

Education

Matthew 28: 19-20
Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you."

Jesus' instructions on educational reform have the greatest impact on us in our daily lives. In the Great Commission, Jesus' followers are told to teach people to do everything He has told them. This impacts each one of us. We can all educate and influence those around us by the way we choose to live our lives. We can be positive role models and good mentors in a world that is lacking both. And if enough people can grasp this model of education, the Jesus manifesto will become a reality.

Decision time

As you decide on whom to vote for, think about that carpenter from Galilee. That man of the people. The one who didn't go seeking fame and publicity. The one who didn't believe in revenge. The man who told us to give away all we have to the poor. The man who gave us the power to heal and drive out demons. The man who told us to teach the world about Him. A man of honesty and truth. A man of integrity and compassion. That man, Jesus Christ.

In His absence at the ballot box this year, let's use his manifesto to help us make our decision.