But they cried, “Away with Him, crucify Him! ...and the Chief Priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!
That is the moment the Jews, as a whole, and just a few days after rightfully hailing Jesus as their Messiah and King, made the tragic decision to trade God’s best for Caesar’s best. And even though the crucifixion of our LORD was in the plan of God from before the foundation of the earth, those who participated in the deed were held personally responsible for their choices in the matter.
How often, on some level or another, do we do the same? How often do we reject the marvelous provision God has for us in every area of our lives by forgetting His precious promises and running to Caesar, first, before running to our Savior, who says He is our provider, our healer, our comforter, and our avenger?
Before visiting the food stamp office, are we on our knees, first, acknowledging our LORD as the real source of all our material provision, asking our LORD, who promises to bless our food and water (If we love and serve Him) to provide that need in His abundance?
Before turning to health care providers, are we first taking our requests for healing to our God who says that His words are life to us and health to all our flesh (if we attend to His words)?
These are conditional promises. Are we reading our Bibles daily to learn of these things and to feed our minds and spirits with the Word and will of God which alone tends to life?
Before seeking to psychologists or anti-anxiety meds for mental health and emotional comfort, are we first running to the one who gives the Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind... are we willing to forsake anger, bitterness, self-pity, and a host of other sins which all take their toll on our general outlook on life and mental health? Are we willing to believe the promise that all things work together for good to who love the LORD? Are we, first, running to the comforter Jesus promised will be with us forever?
Before engaging attorneys to convince judges to avenge us legally, are we first bombarding Heaven and the Righteous Judge, our father, with our requests for judgment, or, as the apostle admonished, are we willing be defrauded rather than to take fellow Christians to court over material things?
A well respected, 19th century, preacher once asked if the Bible text means everything it says, he concluded that it never means less than what it says but always means more than what we understand it to mean.
While reading our Bibles every day… always picking up today where we left off yesterday, let us meditate on these things and develop the habit of running to our King, first, before considering what Caesar has to offer.
Caesar has his limitations, our King has none.
Caesar has his limitations, our King has none.
