This week we opened our eyes to the news that President Trump shared an AI image of himself depicted as a Christlike figure providing healing to the sick. As this image began circulating throughout social media, many were outraged that he would stoop so low. Many others came to his defense stating there is no way this actually came from him. The President was asked about the image by. mid-day on Monday and he publicly stated that he produced the image but he intended it to portray him as a doctor bringing healing to America. He then very appropriately took the image down.

We cannot and should never seek to judge someone's intentions but quite honestly I find this argument very weak. I have never seen a doctor wearing a first century white robe with a red sash. Given the President's very public recent disagreement with the Pope, I think it is quite clear that this image, in the very least, has heavy spiritual implications. No matter the intentions, knowing how deeply this offended Christians an apology was deserved. 

The reality is that whether it be written words or artistic images, things we put out on social media have meaning. They are made public forever and placed in an arena where others will instantly draw conclusions. An instant look at this image definitely leads the mind to see a sitting president portrayed as a divine-like figure far above all others. Whether he intended that to be the case or not, it is the reality. If the President wanted to portray himself as a doctor there are far more modern renderings that would have made his point very clear and escaped the whole sacrilegious element altogether. 

This past Sunday I preached from Jonah 3:6-10. At this point in the story of Jonah, Jonah has been reinstated as a prophet sent to wicked Nineveh to proclaim judgment if repentance is lacking. Jonah has gone through the great city of Nineveh preaching the Word of the Lord and the city is experiencing thousands upon thousands of people repenting of their sins. By verse 6 the message has reached the king's ears and his response is appalling. One would expect the king to be so arrogant as to banish Jonah from the city and defend his own actions and the sin of the people. Instead the king responds with four very powerful acts of repentance. 

The text says he first rises from his throne. This is a symbol of humility. Sitting on the throne was a place of authority and power. When any king was on his throne he had the people at his command. He was the man in charge. The king rises up from his throne to recognize the one who is in ultimate authority, God. Next the king takes off his royal robe. He is laying aside his influence because in the face of sin who he is matters not. The king then covers himself with sackcloth. Here he identifies with the common folk of the city by expressing sorrow and mourning over his many transgressions. He did not cling to his royalty but recognized the severity of his sin. Lastly, the king went outside the city and sat in the ashes of the garbage dump. This would have been the place full of burning filth. The king has gone from sitting on the throne in royalty to sitting on burning garbage in humility. The king takes ownership for his own sin and then issues a decree that everyone under his authority must turn from their sin and turn to God. This is nothing short of true repentance and widespread revival. 

I can't help but compare this ancient text with the most recent events surrounding the leader of our free land. We don't serve an earthly king but we do have a leader who is charged with directing our nation. We cannot equally compare kings or leaders in the Bible to leaders today and that is not my purpose. However, sin is sin and repentance is repentance. The King of Nineveh led one of the most wicked societies of his day and yet when faced with the truth of impending judgment he became a model of genuine repentance and faith in God. I pray America could experience such a day!

We cannot just claim ourselves as a "Christian nation" as if that makes everything okay. We use the word "Christian" as an adjective to modify whatever we seek to make more holy. We throw the word around with little thought to what it actually means. To be a Christian is to be a follower of Jesus who consistently turns from sin and turns to God in humble service and sacrifice. It is not simply claiming Christian beliefs or morality. You cannot truly follow Jesus and maintain a sense of prideful arrogance. 

I have been praying, as I have for all of our presidents, for a long time that President Trump would come face to face with his sin and experience a true turn to Christ that is revealed in humility. Granted, I do not know his heart but I do know the Bible is very clear that God hates pride and gives grace to the humble. The first step to the cross is recognizing the need for a Savior. It is un-Biblical to follow Jesus and maintain self-righteousness. I pray that God would place people in his life who would honestly share the Gospel with him regularly and not continue to condone any move he makes in the name of Christianity. Our president has accomplished many noble things for believers and in no way do I negate that but at the same time we cannot turn a blind eye when our Savior is clearly mocked. 

If yesterday's image proved anything it is that we are fallen and we all need a Savior. Trump is no more a sinner than anyone else but he also needs a Savior just as much as everyone else. We must be careful to examine where our allegiance really lies. When our faith and the Savior we follow is even the slightest mocked we must always defend and stand with him far more than any mortal, no matter how powerful that mortal might be. 

We need true repentance on high but whether we see it or not, let's make sure we are walking in repentance of our own sin today. Repentance is not just turning from sin but also turning to Jesus in humility as we seek to live to honor him at all costs.

One day every knee, small and great alike, will bow to the King above all kings. Make sure you are bowing the knee to him alone today!