Christian Thoughts As We Go Into Midterm Elections: Christ The Good Shepherd VS. "Hired Hands"

Just some general thoughts about "What would Jesus really do?" from my perspective, as we go into midterm elections, but built along a theme.

For starters, if you are voting on behalf of yourself and just your own rights or the rights of whatever group you identify with, IMO, you've got the wrong idea - and there's nothing "Christian" about that at all.

Because also IMO, based on the teachings and parables of Christ, he would vote to protect the rights and the general welfare of the weakest, most powerless, and most vulnerable members of our "flock" from the further power abuse and greed of the wolves in power, giving them a voice. 

Most likely, that's not you.

HOWEVER, if you are a member of one the most powerless and vulnerable groups in America, then I hope you are voting on behalf of those within your group even more powerless and vulnerable than yourself, to give them a voice.

Because Jesus said, "Love they neighbor as thyself." (Matthew 22:39)

Did Christ stutter?

Did he say "Love thy neighbor as thyself, only if they are ______?"

No, he did not.

He said "Love thy neighbor as thyself" - period.

Note he did not say to love them MORE than yourself, either - but as yourself  ;)

Also, there is a difference between love and enabling.  

Enabling someone in harmful behavior is not love for others, nor is it "mercy" or "forgiveness" - at most, it's cowardice, and at the very least, it's self-preservation.  Enabling only encourages the person to continue harming themselves or others, while leaving you safely out of harm's way.

Also, did Christ say "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, only if they are ____?"

No, he did not.

He said (Matthew 7:12), "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" - period.

But essentially, we are actually voting for shepherds to lead the entire flock - not just the white sheep, not just the black sheep, not just the brown sheep, not just the male or female sheep - but the entire flock equally - no one is more important than anyone else.

In fact, Christ said if just 1 of his sheep of 100 goes missing or is in trouble, Christ will leave the other 99, just to search for and rescue it (Matthew 18:10-14) - that's how equally important every sheep is to the Good Shepherd.

I have to say, I don't recognize the voice of Christ in most of our politicians claiming to be Christians today.

This is important -  because Christ said his true sheep will always recognize their master's voice versus the "hired hands." (John 10:1-29)

Christ said the hired hands shepherding on behalf of the master do not truly care for the flock, would never lay down their lives for their flock, and would abandon the sheep and run away to protect themselves when a true wolf comes.

Essentially, these "hired hands" in their master's stead just want power/control over the flock, they care nothing about protecting the flock from true danger.   

True sheep will always hear their master's voice versus the "hired hands" - can you?

And if you are a politician, a minister, someone in a leadership position, or just speaking on behalf of a group - do you truly love the sheep as your own, like the Good Shepherd, or are you simply a hired hand who wants power/control over them?