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Introduction:
Is anyone else glad the election is over? I don’t even pay
attention to all that campaigning and I was sick of it. The
mailers, phone calls, radio and tv commercials were tiresome and
agitating. But, I guess all that is necessary around an election.
What would elections be without campaigns? Campaigns are precision
instruments designed to market a candidate for office. Millions of
dollars are spent to buy our votes. Professional marketers design
mailers and ads. Professional speech writers are called in to
verbalize the platform in just the right way. Presentation coaches
are hired to help the candidates answer all the questions
perfectly without a drop of perspiration. Everything is minutely
designed to get you to mark their name on the ballot. Nothing is
worse than a bungled campaign. Even minor mistakes cost thousands
of votes and decide who will be recorded in history as the winner
and who will be forgotten.
This morning I want to talk to you about a bungled
campaign. Jesus of Nazareth wanted to be king. But according to
modern campaign wisdom, He bungled it. He didn’t do any of the
things you would need in order to be put in office. Consider what
a modern campaign manager would tell Jesus to do and then examine
what He did. Discussion: I.
Strategy #1: Maximize His Image A.
A campaign is designed to maximize image. We need to make
the most of the candidate’s background. Where is he from? What
was his education? Who are his family? What has he accomplished?
Make him look good? Hide or spin away the dirt. Everyone from
presidents down to local sheriffs need to follow this advice. B.
But Jesus didn’t. Instead of maximizing His image, Philippians
3:7 says He emptied Himself. The NKJV translates it He
“made Himself of no reputation.” The Jews were already a
despised and backwater nation, but Jesus was at the pit, being
from Nazareth. Everyone knew nothing good could come from Nazareth
(cf. John
1:46). He was not the son of the emperor or even one of
the governors. He was a son of a carpenter (Matthew
13:55). He was a poor carpenter at that, having to offer
the sacrifice of the poorest in Luke
2:24. According to prophecy, He was not a handsome man
with a winsome smile (Isaiah
53:2). John
8:41 suggests they didn’t hide all the dirt. After all,
Jesus had been born to a woman who had been unmarried. C.
Jesus didn’t follow the wisdom of the modern campaign
gurus. They simply shake their heads at Him. What a terribly
bungled campaign. How could Jesus expect to accomplish anything
with a strategy like this? II.
Strategy #2: Assemble Powerful Supporters A.
In a campaign, it’s not what you know; it’s who you
know. If you want to get anywhere, you have to find the movers and
shakers and get them on your side. You have to get with the labor
union reps. You have to schmooze the big business owners. You need
to weasel your way into the pockets of powerful politicians. It
wouldn’t even hurt to get the major religious leaders on your
side. Whatever you do, get as many endorsements from powerful
supporters as possible. B.
But Jesus didn’t. Jesus didn’t appeal to the powerful
of His day. He called Herod a fox (Luke
13:32). He called the religious leaders of His day
hypocrites (Matthew
23:13). As His partners, He called on fisherman, tax
collectors, political malcontents. He certainly didn’t go for
the educated elite. According to Acts
4:13, His apostles were uneducated men. Additionally,
these men were all so flawed. They argued among themselves. Their
seeming main leader was constantly putting his foot in his mouth.
When push came to shove, they all abandoned Jesus. They rarely
understood Jesus’ teaching and didn’t even believe after He
rose from the dead. C.
Jesus didn’t follow the wisdom of modern campaign gurus.
They simply shake their heads at Him. What a terribly bungled
campaign. How could Jesus expect to accomplish anything with a
strategy like this? III.
Strategy #3: Offer Instant Rewards A.
Give people what they want. Or make it sound like you will
give them what they want. Guard your words so that no matter who
you are talking to it sounds like you want to give them what they
want. Talk about a great strategy. This was the one employed by
Absalom when he wanted the people to support him to be king in II
Samuel 15:2-6. “Oh if only I were the judge, then you
would get your way.” Tell them they will get what they want and
they will get it right away. B.
But Jesus didn’t. Jesus promised hardship. According to Matthew
5:10-12, Jesus explained those who made Him king would
suffer for the decision. In Matthew
10:34-38, He explained His followers would even generate
enemies within their own homes. According to Luke
9:23, following Jesus was like picking up a cross, which
meant you were walking to your execution. When the people wanted
to make Him king, instead of feeding them, He turned them away
with difficult teachings (John
6:22ff). The people would have happily followed Him if He
had brought in an earthly kingdom, stomping the Romans and all
Gentiles setting up the Jews as rulers of the world, feeding and
clothing them in luxury. But Jesus didn’t promise that. He
promised hardship. C.
Jesus didn’t follow the wisdom of modern campaign gurus.
They simply shake their heads at Him. What a terribly bungled
campaign. How could Jesus expect to accomplish anything with a
strategy like this? IV.
Strategy #4: Don’t Offend People A.
This is simple enough. Offended people won’t support you.
If you can’t give them exactly what they want, at least don’t
offend them. Be careful what you say. Be diplomatic. Do everything
you possibly can to let people like you and want to be around you.
If they like you, they might still vote for you even if they
don’t agree with everything you say. The story is told of one
politician who was asked about a particular issue. He responded,
“Well, some of my friends are for it. Some of my friends are
against it. I’m for my friends.” What a great middle of the
road, don’t offend anybody kind of answer. Whatever you do
don’t offend. B.
But Jesus did. He offended people right and left. He called
the religious leaders hypocrites (Matthew
23:13). The disciples even once asked Jesus, “Don’t
you know you offended the Pharisees?” Jesus did not say, “Oh
no, really, I’ll make it up to them.” He said, “They are the
blind leading the blind” (Matthew
15:12-14). But perhaps the biggest surprise comes in how
He dealt even with His followers. In John
6:60-66 a large number of Jesus’ disciples complained
about His difficult teaching and abandoned Him. In John
8:31, Jesus was talking to disciples who had believed on
Him. However, when He talked about them being set free by the
truth, they were incensed. In 28 verses, the people who believed
in Jesus decided to stone Him (John
8:59). C.
Jesus didn’t follow the wisdom of modern campaign gurus.
They simply shake their heads at Him. What a terribly bungled
campaign. How could Jesus expect to accomplish anything with a
strategy like this? V.
Strategy #5: Pander to the Wealthy A.
Perhaps one of the most important pieces of advice, akin to
getting powerful supporters, is to pander to the wealthy. Even if
you have to compromise on some of your values, you have to have
backers. You need the people who will pay the $5000.00 at the
fundraiser dinners. You need the people who will continue the
financial backing. Mailers, billboards, tv ads, yard signs and
campaign trips cost money. Do everything you can to get rich
people on your side. B.
But Jesus didn’t. He sent the rich young ruler away sad (Matthew
19:22). He said not many wealthy would actually be part of
His kingdom in Matthew
19:23-24. In Mark
12:41-44, Jesus praised the poor widow who only
contributed two coins to the temple treasury and dismissed the
sizable donations of the wealthy. Jesus was not interested in
appealing to the wealthy. In fact, in Luke
4:18-21 Jesus demonstrated His ministry was to the poor
and downtrodden. C.
Jesus didn’t follow the wisdom of modern campaign gurus.
They simply shake their heads at Him. What a terribly bungled
campaign. How could Jesus expect to accomplish anything with a
strategy like this? VI.
How was Jesus so successful? A.
Despite how Jesus bungled His campaign, He was successful.
2000 years later, His name is known by everyone. Even those who
don’t like Him or disagree with Him know who He is. He changed
the course of history. In fact, for most of the world, history is
divided around Him. His teachings have influenced multiple
nations. People have become willing to follow Him even unto death.
And now, 2000 years later He still has followers who are just as
ardent as ever. How could Jesus thumb His nose at all the
wonderful advice of modern campaign gurus and yet still have been
so successful? B.
He had a heavenly campaign manager. In John
5:30, Jesus explained He did only the will of the Father.
In John
8:28, He said He only spoke what the Father taught Him. In
John
12:49-50, He reiterated that He only spoke what His Father
wanted. In Matthew
26:39-44, when Jesus wanted something different from the
Father, He was even willing to pray, “Not my will, but Yours be
done.” No matter what, Jesus was going to follow His Father’s
will. Success was His. He became the king. He rules even to this
day (Acts
2:33). Conclusion: Jesus came to establish a kingdom. He came to be king. But His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). He came to offer a spiritual kingdom in which salvation could be found. He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). The modern political gurus would say he bungled His campaign. But we know better. He led the most successful campaign ever. Because of that, He now reigns and offers salvation. The question for us is in our bid for salvation, will we follow the campaign of the heavenly manager or will we pursue the wisdom of the modern worldly gurus? Will you submit to the King?
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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