As reported by The Guardian, the long-standing canine mayor of Idyllwild “would like to see peace on Earth in his lifetime,” according to his chief of staff and human companion, Phyllis Mueller.

His ambition for global harmony recalls how at the birth of Jesus, angels announced “peace on earth to people God favours.”

Mayor Max has served Idyllwild for seven years. Mueller believes he remains popular with locals because he wants “to make the world a better place by conveying unconditional love and doing as many good deeds for others as possible.”

While there is nothing in Mayor Max’s policies or public service to directly credit Jesus as an inspiration, his ambition for global harmony recalls how at the birth of Jesus, angels announced “peace on earth to people God favours” (Luke 2:14).

Similarly, the “unconditional love” and “good deeds for others” approach of Mayor Max – who inherited the role, following the death of preceding canine mayor Max I – aligns with what many think Jesus was on about.

Jesus Christ did canvas local communities with messages of “loving enemies” and treating others as you want to be treated (Luke 6:27-36). He also lobbied for people to serve others by putting their interests first (Mark 10:35-45). And as Ephesians 2:10 puts it, followers of Jesus were “created in Christ Jesus for good works”.

In a country not unfamiliar with animals elected to office, the approach of Mayor Max still falls short of the heavenly heights set by the divine man Jesus.

Max might bark for unconditional love but Jesus declared conditional love on a universal scale: “‘… Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'” (Matthew 22:37-39)

Mayor Max will see you soon at an Idyllwild’s Fourth of July parade, or the next major event at his local school or nursing home.