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, but his realm was of a different nature than the governments and ideologies of this fallen world, and on more than one occasion, Jesus refused political power, especially when it was offered by Satan.
The Devil offered Jesus “all
the kingdoms of the world.” To attain absolute power, all that was needed was
for him to “render homage” to the Tempter and acknowledge overlordship.
The price of political power was submission to Satan, and according to him, the
kingdoms of this age “have been delivered to me and I give them to whomever
I will.”
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| [Photo by Galen Crout on Unsplash] |
Jesus did NOT dispute Satan’s “right” to dispense political power, but he refused it all the same, instead, submitting to the path of the Suffering Servant of Yahweh - (Matthew 4:8-11, Luke 4:5-7).
Since then, 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 or to choose the same self-denying path that Jesus did.
Yet 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 a ransom for many,” a real-world example for his disciples to emulate.
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 he miraculously
fed a multitude, certain men plotted “to seize him and make him king.” However,
he walked away at the point when the mob was determined to crown him, thereby
turning many minds against him.
The Son of Man 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 laid 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.”
Moreover, his followers are
summoned to adopt the same mind that he demonstrated when he gave his
life as a “ransom for many,” including the “enemies” of God - (Philippians
2:6-11).
The choice before his disciples
is between the cruciform and rough pathway trod by him or the expedient and
smooth superhighway offered by Satan. Jesus declared that when he was “lifted
up” on the Cross he would “draw all men to me,” not by seizing Caesar’s
throne.
Jesus of Nazareth is summoning
all men and women to “deny themselves, take up the cross,” and follow him
on the cruciform path, the only one that ends in the Kingdom of God. All who
refuse to do so are “unworthy” of him and unfit for citizenship in his
Father’s Kingdom.
SEE ALSO:
- Rend the Heavens - (The Spirit of God and the voice from heaven confirmed the calling and identity of Jesus – Son, Messiah, and Servant of the LORD)
- Servant or Caesar? - (Satan offered Jesus unlimited political power to achieve his messianic mission if only he acknowledged the Devil as his overlord)