Why Did Jesus Not Get Involved in POLITICS?

Picture a scene from the year 32 C.E. It is late in the day. Jesus, the foretold Messiah, has already won great renown for healing the sick and even resurrecting the dead.  Today, he has awed a crowd of thousands by performing powerful signs and by sharing teachings of God. Now he divides the hungry people into smaller groups. He prays to Jehovah and miraculously feeds them all. Then, to avoid  waste, he collects the leftovers. How do the people react? -John 6:1-13.

Well, after seeing Jesus' miracles and his skillful leadership in managing the crowds and caring for their needs, the people conclude that Jesus would be a perfect king.  (John 6:14) Their response is not surprising. Remember that they were desperate for a good, effective ruler; their beloved homeland was under the oppressive ruler of foreign power.  So they put direct pressure on Jesus to join the political process. With that background in mind, consider his reaction.

Jesus knowing they were about to come and seize him to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain all alone,"  says John 6:15.  Jesus' stand could hardly  have been more decisive. He resolutely  refused to get involved in the politics of his homeland.  His stand never changed.  He said that  his followers  were to take the same position.  (John 17:16) Why did he take this stand?  

Next time: Why Did Jesus Choose Neutrality?

From the Watchtower magazine, 2010