They say "politics and religion don't mix," but politicians can't stop talking about religion. They say "separation of church and state." I say politicians have sure been preaching a lot of sermons lately. Some of them preachin' political sermons in the churches, right up there where the preacher ought to be. You might be able to separate the state from the church but you sure can't separate the politician from the pulpit. They say, "I'm not going to force my values on others." I say, what is faith without values?
And so I ask you: What is the state without the church? What is a politician without visible values? What is life without faith? To borrow the words of Paul, "It is nothing." It is a resounding gong, a clanging symbol. Zacchaeus recognized this. He could not be in the presence of Jesus and not be moved. Moved to right the wrong in his life. He was a tax collector who taken advantage of many people. Lied to them. Swindled them. Skimmed off the top of his collections. And beyond all this, he had ignored the poor.
Now it's Tuesday morning for old Zacchaeus and he has to walk in the election booth and pull the lever. He is either going to vote for the state or for the faith. He is either going to vote for himself of for those he has defrauded. He will either cast his vote for Rome or for Christ. Come Election Day, who is he gonna' vote for?
1. He Could Vote for the Tax Collectors.
2. He Could Vote for the Poor.
3. He Could Vote for Christ.