We Stand Between Christ and Caesar
Rev. Enoch Thompson | October 29 2024 | John 19:12-16
KEY VERSE:
From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” John 19:12 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
In the matter of spirituality, there is no vacuum. We belong to Christ or Caesar, to the heavenly Kingdom of God or the worldly kingdom of Caeser backed by the rebellious spirit of Lucifer and his forces of darkness. We may not be so conscious of this demarcation of the realms and its implications for our lives here and after death.
In the heated moments leading to the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are presented with a moment when the Jews made a deliberate choice of the worldly kingdom of Rome with its human-centred power over nations, over and against the Kingdom of God that the Lord Jesus was proclaiming as having arrived.
When we choose this world as the system that rules over our lives, we automatically reject the rule of God over our lives. The Jews had to admit that Caesar was their king, a fact that in their normal thinking moments, they hated to admit, and yet in their rush to reject the claims of Christ they gladly declared Caesar to be their only king!
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
You stand between the claims of Christ upon your life and the demands of the world system energised by the Devil. You make one choice or the other, and by that choice reject the one or the other. Will you affirm the lordship of Christ over your life, or for the sake of political, monetary and momentary satisfaction declare Caesar your king?
PRAYER:
Dear King Jesus, thank you for humbling yourself to take my place on the cross. I choose you now and always as my only Lord and King. Please help me to stay faithful to you, and to help others to know you. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: KING The word "king" comes from the Greek basileus (βασιλεύς), meaning ruler or sovereign, often associated with supreme authority over a domain. The word "king" in our key verse highlights the decision each person must make: to serve Christ as their eternal King or to align with worldly powers, symbolised by Caesar. This moment challenges us to consider where our true allegiance lies, affirming that choosing Christ may sometimes conflict with worldly expectations or desires. Reflections Are you living with Christ as your King, or are you allowing worldly values to shape your choices? How can you stand firm in affirming Christ’s lordship over every aspect of your life?
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