Liberal, Conservative, and Other Silly Words

Why Jesus Refuses to Fit Our Political Boxes

In today’s polarized world, people seem to want Jesus on their side. Christian nationalists claim Him as the ultimate conservative, justifying legalistic rules, rigid moral policies and political control. Meanwhile, social liberals paint Him as a radical progressive, a revolutionary fighting for systemic change. Both perspectives twist His mission to fit human politics.

But Jesus wasn’t conservative. He wasn’t liberal. He wasn’t here to back any earthly system at all. His kingdom operates on a completely different level.

Key Scripture Passage: John 18:36

Jesus answered, ‘My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.’

The Problem: Forcing Jesus into Human Politics

From the Pharisees to the Zealots, people in Jesus’ time tried to force Him into political categories just like we do today.

Conservatives tend to emphasize law, morality, and national identity—often using Jesus to justify strict policies and legal consequences.
Liberals tend to emphasize social justice, compassion, and systemic change—often using Jesus to justify political activism and redistribution.

But Jesus never aligned with earthly power. He refused to enforce religious law through the state, and He also refused to lead an uprising against injustice. His mission was far greater than human governance.

Cultural & Historical Context: The Expectations of a Political Messiah

Many Jews expected the Messiah to be a political liberator—someone who would overthrow Roman rule and restore Israel’s independence. Even Jesus’ disciples asked, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” (Acts 1:6). But Jesus consistently rejected political power.

When the crowds wanted to make Him king by force, “he slipped away into the hills by himself” (John 6:15).
When asked about taxes, He didn’t call for rebellion—He simply said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God” (Mark 12:17).
When standing before Pilate, He made it clear: “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom” (John 18:36).

If Jesus had come to change the world through politics, He would have taken control. Instead, He went to the cross.

Jesus Confounded Every Side

Jesus was neither a religious conservative nor a political liberal. He refused to be boxed into any ideological system, challenging both legalism and lawlessness, both rigidity and rebellion. His words and actions left people from all sides unsettled, because He operated from a Kingdom perspective—not a political one.

To the Conservatives (Pharisees), He Was Too Radical

The Pharisees were the religious elite, deeply devoted to upholding the law. They believed righteousness came through strict adherence to rules, rituals, and traditions. Yet, Jesus disrupted their expectations by prioritizing love, mercy, and justice over rigid legalism.

He openly associated with tax collectors and sinners—people the Pharisees deemed unclean and unworthy (Mark 2:15-17).
He healed on the Sabbath, challenging their rigid interpretation of the law (Luke 6:9).
He rebuked their self-righteousness, saying, “You ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith” (Matthew 23:23).

For them, Jesus was a threat. He exposed their hypocrisy, proving that outward obedience to the law was meaningless without a heart transformed by love.