The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord

— Luke 4:18-19

I am excited about the political process in our great country. We just finished the conventions of our two major parties, and heard from at least three other parties. Now we are off to the races to capture the big prize in November.
It amazes me how much both major parties spend trying to “blow the minds” of the voters and how little is spent on the issues. We just exhausted at least two days talking about lipstick on a pig or was it a pig on lipstick.
As I thought about how many Americans are suffering and dealing with real issues while those who would lead us are fighting over cosmetics, I was reminded of the words of Jesus “... that I must be about my Father’s business.” Luke 2:49 In this text Jesus refused to be sidetracked, even by His own parents, from His real platform.
One day when Jesus was about 30 years old, He attended His “party’s convention” and announced His plan to make the world a better place. Some asked “who is this maverick,” while others said “He is too inexperienced.” Some said He is too old (He was in the beginning) while others said He is just a carpenter’s son.  But Jesus stood boldly and declared His message of “no more business a usual.” His platform had only five planks 1. Preach the gospel to the poor, 2. Heal the brokenhearted, 3. To preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, 4. To set at liberty them that are bruised, and 5. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
During the next three year’s (it was a long campaign) the opposition tried to throw Jesus off message with personal and physical attacks, but He stayed on message declaring that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Wherever He went He drew a crowd and, in spite of the critics, He continued His mission of making His community better. Even while hanging on the cross, He remembered His mission and said to the thief “this day you will be with me in paradise.” He died and was buried but because of His obedience and dedication to His mission, God raised Him from the dead and gave Him a name that is above every name. We celebrate today because He stayed on message.
Christian, you have been nominated by Heaven’s Party to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Will you accept the nomination and pledge to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Scott is pastor of the Baconton Missionary Baptist Church and vice president of the United Ministerial Alliance.