If Jesus stood on the steps of the Capitol what would he say to our leaders and to us? Certainly he would not choose sides. I think his condemnation would be sent to both sides of the political isle and spread broadly. I neither know the mind of Christ nor intend to give the impression that I do, but I imagine it would go something like this.

"The politicians and the judges are seated in positions of power. Therefore do whatever they tell you to do. But don't do what they do, because they don't obey the laws they make. They pile up heavy burdens that are hard to bear and put them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to help anybody but themselves. Everything they do is for the benefit of the camera, popularity and their own glory: They enlarge their egos and praise their own deeds. They love the place of honor at parties, the front seats in the halls of power, greetings in public places, and to be called by their proper title by people.

"But as for you, do not be called by a title because you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your supreme leader, because you have one Supreme Leader, and He is in heaven. And stop lording over one another, because you have one Lord, the Messiah. The most powerful among you will become humble servants. Whoever praises himself will be humiliated and disgraced, and whoever freely admits their shame and their lies will be praised.

"But woe to you, politicians and judges, hypocrites! You lock up the halls of justice from people. For you believe you are above the law, therefore you don't allow others to have justice.

"Woe to you, politicians and judges, hypocrites! You destroy peoples lives and make long speeches just for show. This is why you will receive a harsher punishment than those you rule.

"Woe to you, politicians and judges, hypocrites! You travel long distances to find one supporter, and when you find one, you make him twice the hypocrite as you are!

"Woe to you, blind leaders, who say, 'Whoever takes an oath of honor, it means nothing. But whoever makes a promise in exchange for a great amount of money is bound by his promise.' Blind fools! Which is greater, the money or the honor that justifies the money? Also, 'Whoever takes an oath on Scripture, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath according to a gift is bound by his oath.' Blind people! Which is greater, the gift or the Scripture that justifies the gift? Therefore the one who takes an oath on Scripture takes an oath by it and by everything in it. The one who takes an oath of honor takes an oath by it and by Him who is most Honorable. And the one who takes an oath on the Bible takes an oath by God's throne and by Him who sits on it.

"Woe to you, politicians and judges, hypocrites! You accept donations for your reelection funds, yet you neglect the more important matters of the law?justice, mercy, and faith. These things should be done without neglecting the others. Blind leaders! You imprison for the smallest infraction, yet you commit the most egregious crimes and go free!

"Woe to you, politicians and judges, hypocrites! You wear the finest clothing and get the finest haircuts, but inside you are full of greed and self-indulgence! Blind hypocrite!

"Woe to you, politicians and judges, hypocrites! You are like shiny new cars, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of filth and every corruption. In the same way, on the outside you appear honorable to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

"Woe to you, politicians and judges, hypocrites! You build and decorate the monuments of heroes, and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn't have shed the blood of heroes.' You therefore testify against yourselves that you are sons of those who murder heroes. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' sins!

"Snakes! Brood of vipers! How can you escape being condemned? This is why I am sending you heroes and champions. Some of them you will kill, and some of them you will flog with your tongue and will destroy their lives. So all the righteous blood shed for America will be charged to you, from the blood of a lowly soldier in George Washington?s army to the blood of the mightiest president seated at the highest point in the halls of justice. I assure you: justice, mercy, and faith will come to pass!

"Washington, Washington! The city who kills the law and destroys those who are sent to uphold it. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, yet you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will never see Me again until you say, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"

Adapted from Matthew 23, Holman Christian Standard Bible (tm)

(c)2009 Richard Davis