His Unique Kingdom
When Jesus of Nazareth first appeared in Galilee, he proclaimed the “Kingdom of God” – “Repent, for the kingdom is at hand.” In his ministry and that of his Church, God’s reign began to invade the Earth. But his realm is of an entirely different nature to the existing political systems of this world. Moreover, on more than one occasion, Jesus refused THAT kind of political power, especially when it was offered by Satan who tempted him with sovereignty over “all the kingdoms of the world.”
According to the Gospel of Matthew,
for him to attain absolute power over nations and peoples, all the Nazarene needed
to do was “render homage” to the Devil and acknowledge his overlordship
– (Matthew 4:1-10).
 |
| [Photo by Harley Upton on Unsplash] |
Most remarkably, at the time Jesus did NOT dispute Satan’s “right” to dispense political power, though he refused it all the same. Instead, he submitted to the path of the Suffering Servant of Yahweh. His ministry on the Earth would culminate with his death at the hands of the World Empire - (Matthew 4:8-11, Luke 4:5-7).
THE WAY OF THE SERVANT
In this evil age, the price of power
over others is submission to Satan’s authority and agenda. According to him,
the kingdoms of this age “have been delivered to me and I give them to
whomever I will.”
Although he was the Messiah appointed
by God to “shepherd the nations of the Earth,” Jesus refused this
satanic offer. Scripture confirmed his calling to reign over this world, yet he
rejected the kind of power valued so highly by the rulers and people of this world.
But how could God’s designated king reign over rebellious nations and peoples without the military and
economic might of the Almighty State? - (Psalm 2:6-8, Revelation 12:5).
In the four gospel accounts, rather
than resort to the political means of this age, Jesus embraced the way
of the Cross. In the “Kingdom of God,” true victory is achieved through self-denial,
service to others, and sacrifice.
In his domain, “greatness”
is characterized and measured by self-sacrificial service and acts of mercy for
the benefit of others, including one’s “enemies.” Rather than threatening
or dominating other men, Jesus “gave his life a ransom for many.” Moreover,
his real-world example provides his disciples with the pattern for implementing
God’s Kingdom on Earth and their achieving “greatness” in it.
However, the temptation in the
“wilderness” was not the end of Satan’s political intrigues. Following
his rebuff, “the Devil departed from him until an opportune time.”
MORE TEMPTATION
After miraculously feeding a
multitude in Galilee, certain members of the crowd planned “to come and
seize him to make him king.” But Jesus walked away at the very moment the
mob was determined to crown him. His refusal turned many minds against him.
The Son of Man would not become
the militaristic messiah bent on destroying Rome that so many of his
contemporaries craved. And the closer he came to his death, the more the fickle
crowds rejected him as the Messiah of Israel. A “Suffering Servant” did
not fit their concept of royalty and kingship, or their desire to see the Roman
Empire destroyed - (Luke 4:13, John 6:15).
Prior to his execution, Pontius
Pilate inquired whether Jesus was “the king of the Jews.” Before Caesar’s
representative, he did not deny his kingly destiny, and he responded, “You
say that I am a king, and for this, I was born.” But he qualified his
kingship by stating, “My Kingdom is not FROM (ek) this
world - (John 18:33-36).
That did not mean that his Kingdom was strictly “spiritual” or otherworldly, or that his messianic program was nonpolitical. But the source of his sovereignty was other than the political power that characterized and dominated the world of his (and our) day.
The “Suffering Servant”
and his sacrifice brought light and redemption into the world, not Rome, and
his Kingdom is ruled by the “slain Lamb,” not Caesar.
Pilate found no fault in the
Nazarene. But at the instigation of the Temple authorities, the crowd demanded
that Pilate release Barabbas instead, a man described in the gospels as a léstés (Greek)
or “brigand.” It seems the priestly leaders of Israel preferred a
violent political revolutionary to the Servant of Yahweh.
THE CROSS
Contrary to the expectations of
his contemporaries, Jesus “took on the form of a slave” and became “obedient
unto death, even death on a cross.” And because of his choice, God bestowed
on him “the name, which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every
knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”
Moreover, his disciples are
summoned to live by the very same mindset displayed by Jesus when he
gave his life as a “ransom for many.” As Paul wrote, “Let this mind
be in you that was in Christ Jesus” - (Philippians 2:1-11).
The choice before his followers
is between the cruciform pathway trod by Jesus or the expedient and smooth
highway offered by Satan. Jesus declared that when he was “lifted up” on
the cross, then he would “draw all men to me,” not by seating himself on
Caesar’s bloody throne.
Jesus is summoning all men and
women to “deny themselves, take up the cross,” and follow him, the slain
Lamb, “wherever he goes.” The way of the Cross is the only one that
leads to citizenship in the Kingdom of God. All men who refuse to emulate his
example are “unworthy” of him and unfit for inclusion in his unique and
glorious Kingdom.
