Reflecting on John 19:1-16“‘We have no king but Caesar,’ the chief priests answered.” (John 19:15)
The religious leaders were being pragmatic.
They knew Caesar was a corrupt leader, but they also knew they needed Caesar.
They also hated what Jesus stood for, and did not need or want Him.
Jesus’s agenda was against theirs, but they could use Caesar in this moment.
They admitted Caesar had his faults, but he could advance their cause.
Where have I heard this before…
Religious leaders siding with un-Christlike leader to accomplish their agenda?
Some things never change, even among people claiming to serve God.
For too many Christians, Jesus’s agenda does not serve their own.
Or put another way, their mission does not fit with Jesus’s mission.
The way of Jesus involves humility, grace and compassion.
But this does not protect borders, nor does it make a nation great again.
The Jesus way does not give agents the power to arrest refugees and immigrants.
Jesus’s agenda is still against many Christian’s preferred agenda, but ‘Caesar’ can help!
Lord have mercy, for your people are crucifying You all over again!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You did not come to set up a government to control borders, deport undesirables, make us rich and punish those groups that are against us. Open our eyes to see that by serving and supporting such Caesar agendas, we are crucifying You all over again.