Heavy load of injustice
And [Pilate] replied to them, "Do you wish me to set free for you the king of the Jews?" For he was aware that it was because of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up.
(Mark 15:9-10)
Wow. The religious hierarchy wanted to get rid of Jesus, because the people were more inclined to follow him than to follow them. The longer Jesus lived, the more of their power, wealth, influence, and privilege they would lose. And they were more than willing to see to it that Jesus died, in order to protect their nests.
Why did the people prefer Jesus? Was it because of the loving quality of his teachings and persona? Was it because of his healing power? Was it because they saw him as a Provider, after being fed in the wilderness? Was it because they were sick and tired of the burdensome, nitpicky rules imposed by the law, and the judgmental and superior attitude of those who enforced that law? Was it some combination or perhaps all of these things?
And if Jesus had risen to prominence instead of being executed, what did the priest and scribes think would happen to them? Were they unable to conceive of becoming his followers? Were they just that proud, arrogant, and greedy that they would not accept any lessening of their rank and prestige and income?
God knew that it would never come to that. He knew that the authorities would kill Jesus, and He knew the manner of death he would have to face and undergo, and He judged it best, and judged Jesus strong enough. He judged it a price worth paying, in order to begin destroying the power of Satan to rule mankind by the fear of death.
For it is by the fear of pain and suffering and death that all the kings of this world secure the obedience of the people.
If Jesus, by submitting to scourgining, crucifixion, and death, emerged victorious through his resurrection from the dead, then we would all see that death is not the end. And if death is not the end, then we need not avoid death at all costs, and then the powers that be will have to find some other way of controlling us, if they can. And that's how Jesus became King above all kings and Lord above all lords.
And it is because Jesus was willing to pay that enormous price for us, that I gladly and willingly pay him my highest allegiance. Even above family and friends. Even above political party. Even above country. Even above church. All these are imperfect earthly vessels, capable of blocking God's will. Let God's will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
-- Philip Eric Jones
