To believe in a political messiah requires one to accept by faith that we
have no power of our own. Under this notion, we must believe that our
station in life is not as good as it might be if a politician to our liking
is in Congress and the White House. Political messiahs love to preach this
message because it enhances their power over us. Polarizers on the left and
right promote the messiahs of their choice so that disciples of their
organizations will bring them "offerings," enhancing the fiction that they,
too, have power. Broadcast and cable networks encourage bickering, because
conflict brings higher ratings and greater profits.
For a messiah figure to succeed, he must be matched to the real, not
perceived, needs of his disciples. Are those needs economic and political,
or are they moral and spiritual? If the former, by all means, vote for the
best "deliverer." If the latter, I can only give you what the angel Gabriel
told Joseph about that Messiah: "He will save his people from their sins."
That's a real need no political messiah can meet. But the authentic Messiah
can.