Observation: As the trial of Jesus concludes, this is the final exchange between the priests and Pilot before he decrees Jesus be crucified ... a declaration by the chief priests that their only king is Caesar.
What a terrible final statement of how far the Jews have fallen in their faith, that their leaders would stand before the oppressive authority occupying their capital, and declare in the strongest way possible their allegiance to Caesar. And to do this in order to win the right to crucify the Messiah. This is the strongest possible testament to a people lost to the Lord, that they would openly declare themselves to be aligned to the ways of the world, and not to the Lord, in order to achieve an outcome of explicit rebellion against the Lord.
Application: There are really no words required to "go deep" on this concept as it relates to the world today ... it's almost too obvious.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. I will not align myself with the social norms of this world that are in opposition to the Lord's will and commands. I will love others, but I will not embrace and condone wrongdoing done by others. I will not judge others, but I will instead leave room for the Lord's justice and will to be done on earth. I will not decide what is right and wrong, but I will use the very word of the Lord as the measure of right and wrong, striving to then do what the Lord has said is right.
I too have only one king. I have no king but Jesus Christ, the Messiah and son of the Lord God almighty, creator of heaven and earth, ruler over all creation.
Prayer: Lord, you are my king. There is nothing on earth that can unseat you from your throne. May I declare your name and your authority all my days. Amen.
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