I read a text argument between two Christians a couple days ago. They were debating Obama’s stimulus plan. After a number of retorts, one of them said, "Jesus wouldn’t be a republican!". Although it may not have been her intent, it sounded as if she was claiming that he would be a Democrat instead.

But Jesus’ wouldn’t be either.

It reminded me of the passage in Joshua just before the Israelites go up and defeat Jericho. Joshua sees an angel of the Lord standing a ways off. This was their interaction in Joshua 5:13-14:

"When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold. a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us, or for our adversaries?" And he said, "No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come."

Most scholars agree that the man Joshua spoke to was Jesus, and here from his very own lips we see him disregard both political options. "Are you for us, or for our enemies?" He disregards both and simply says, "No".

Why is this? Because God only sides with man inasmuch as man has sided with God. God is on his own side. Think about it, God would fight for the Israelites, provided they were following him in obedience. Only two chapters later in Joshua 7, God brings Israel’s defeat at Ai because they failed to obey him.

So the question of whether or not Jesus would be a Republican or a Democrat is moot. He would be neither. The better question is whether Republicans or Democrats are on God’s side. And, because God’s side entails much more than what we do but also our motives and affections, it can conclusively be said that neither Democrat nor Republican side altogether with him.

For the politically minded Christian, this is crucial to remember. We are Christians first and foremost, and any other personal traits second.