Going to Church is Political
In the second episode of our Lent podcast series, ecological ethicist Byron Smith, is joined by ministers Graeme Anderson and Erica Mandi Manga, to explore Jesus’ prayer for the church in John 17.
In the first episode of our Lent podcast series, Byron Smith, ecological ethicist and long-time member of Common Grace’s Creation and Climate Justice advisory team, joins Common Grace National Director Gershon Nimbalker and minister, consultant, and writer Scott Higgins to explore Jesus’ triumphal entry in John 12.
As Jesus rides into the city, his way of being king stands in stark contrast to the power structures of the world, setting the stage for his journey to the cross. This episode unpacks how following Jesus is inherently political—not in a partisan sense, but in how we engage with power, justice, and the common good. Politics isn’t just about elections; it’s about the way power is used in society, something we all participate in daily. By distinguishing between being political and being partisan, we can resist the temptation to place ultimate trust in any one party to reflect God's kingdom and instead allow our faith to shape the values we uphold and the communities we seek to build.
Listen to this podcast episode below
You can also download the episode via this Google Drive link.
A transcript of this conversation can be downloaded here.
The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realise that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
John 12:12-19
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We invite you to pray and continue reflecting on this conversation today.
Reflect:
What most struck you in the discussion about Jesus' entry to Jerusalem?
Why is it helpful for Christians to distinguish between being political from being partisan? Have you seen examples of when this distinction was or wasn't made well?
What part does community building play in our political lives?
Pray:
Good God,
Help us to expand our view of you and your work in the world. Help us to live out the beautiful truths of your kingdom in our everyday lives - as we love our neighbours, build loving communities, and reflect the love of Christ in all we do. Please give us wisdom as we each consider what it means for us to be politically engaged in the world around us.
Amen.
Go Deeper:
Join Common Grace this election as we pray and take action. Together we will speak out for justice for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters, for our asylum-seeker friends looking for welcome on our shores, and for the protection and flourishing of God's beautiful creation. We will speak up for a nation, parliament, and policies that seek the good of others, and move us toward a broader vision for justice and a safe, free, flourishing future for all. Find out what we are doing here.
For the 2022 Federal Election, Common Grace collected resources for people thinking about voting from a Christian perspective, including the article Why I won't vote my values by Scott Higgins. You can find the complete list here.
