Behold Your King, Ceasar

lion roaring on top of mountain during golden hour

God has a long history of wanting to be king of his people going all the way back to a garden and a tree that symbolized his moral rule over creation. We humans have a long history of rejecting God’s rightful kingship and choosing something other than God. We’d rather have someone tall like King Saul, than a humble servant who stoops to wash the feet of road-weary disciples.

Why are we so slow to accept God’s loving reign? Even at Christmas, we are good with the baby. We just prefer to choose our own king. So often, we choose unwisely.

When Jesus was presented to the people, Caesar made it clear, “Would you have me kill the King of the Jews?” The people were equally transparent, “We have no king but Caesar!” (John 18:33-35). How often are our true commitments revealed regarding God’s sovereign authority? Like the religious believers living in the time of Jesus, we are prone to bristle at serving a Lord and prefer proximity to earthly political power.

Let us all evaluate our hearts in light of the rejected King of the Jews. We might be more like those Pharisees and Sadducees than we realize. This Christmas, let’s remember the Baby. But let us not forget that he is also the one, true King.

 The following video gives a good overview of the history of Israel’s opportunity for God to be their king.Â