His Path

Jesus proclaimed a new political reality, the Kingdom of God, one that bears little resemblance to the political regimes of this world.

Jesus arrived in Galilee proclaiming the “Kingdom of God” – “Repent, for the kingdom is at hand.” In his ministry, the reign of God was invading the Earth. However, the nature of his realm was radically different than the governments and political ideologies of the existing world order, and more than once, Jesus refused political power, especially when offered by Satan.

The Devil promised the Son of God control over “all the kingdoms of the world.” To gain such power, Satan required Jesus to acknowledge his overlordship. The cost of political power was submission to his satanic agenda and authority. Moreover, according to the Devil, the kingdoms of this age “have been delivered to me and I give them to whomever I will.”

[Dark Trail - Photo by Sander Mathlener on Unsplash]

Jesus did not dispute Satan’s “right” to dispense political power, but he refused it all the same. Instead, he submitted to the path of the ‘Suffering Servant of the LORD’ - (Matthew 4:8-11, Luke 4:5-7, Isaiah 53:1-12).

Since that event, his disciples have faced the same test whenever the opportunity to obtain political power has presented itself. The choice is whether to succumb to the temptation to wield power over others and “do a little evil that good might come,” or to choose the same self-denying path that Jesus did.

Nevertheless, how could God’s appointed king reign over the rebellious nations of the Earth without the military and economic might of the State? - (Psalm 2:6-8).

Rather than resorting to the political methods of this evil age, Jesus embraced the way of the Cross. In the “Kingdom of God,” victory is achieved through self-denial and sacrificial service for the Kingdom. Rather than dominating others through force, he “gave his life as a ransom for many,” a real-world example for his disciples to follow.

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.”

For example, after Jesus miraculously fed a multitude, certain men plotted “to seize him and make him king.” However, he walked away when the mob decided to make him king. Many minds turned against Jesus after this incident - (Luke 4:13, John 6:15).

Jesus of Nazareth would not become the militaristic messiah bent on destroying Rome that so many of his contemporaries desired. The closer he came to his death, the more the fickle crowds rejected him. A “suffering servant” who lays down his life for friend and foe alike was the last thing they wanted - (Luke 4:13, John 6:15).

Contrary to his contemporaries, Jesus “took on the form of a slave” and became “obedient unto death, even death on a cross,” therefore, 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.”

The followers of God’s true Messiah are summoned to adopt the same mind that Jesus demonstrated when he gave his life as a “ransom for many,” including the “enemies” of God. Jesus died for all men, not just the righteous or the Jewish nation - (John 3:16, Romans 5:10, Philippians 2:6-11).

The choice before us is between the cruciform and rough pathway that Jesus walked, or the self-serving and seemingly smooth superhighway offered by Satan. Jesus declared that when he was “raised” on the Cross he would “draw all men to me,” not by seizing Caesar’s throne, clever propaganda, military force, or impressive displays of supernatural power.

Jesus called his disciples to “deny themselves, take up the cross,” and follow him on the cruciform road - the only one that leads to the Kingdom of God and the holy city, “New Jerusalem.” All who refuse to deny themselves, take up his Cross, and follow him on this same path are “unworthy” of him and unfit for citizenship in his Kingdom.

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SEE ALSO:

• Embracing the Cross - (To be the Messiah of Israel meant suffering and death for others, and Jesus summoned his disciples to follow that same path – Mark 8:31)

• Road to Calvary - (On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus explained what it meant to be the Messiah and the destiny of the suffering Son of Man - Mark 8:27-38)

• Ransom for Many - (The submission of Jesus to an unjust death becomes the paradigm for the love and service to others that disciples are summoned to manifest)

• Servant of the LORD - (Paul summoned believers to adopt the same mind Jesus had when he poured his life out unto death for others – Philippians 2:5-11)