There is a curious line following John’s report of Jesus feeding the 5,000:
“Therefore, when Jesus realized they were about to come and TAKE HIM BY FORCE TO MAKE HIM KING, He withdrew again to a mountain by Himself” John 6:15.
The crowds were going to “take Him by force to make Him king”? How? And would He be the Jewish King—replacing Herod? Or did they want to make Him the new Caesar?
Those questions are not answered. But the crowds seemed to know that Jesus could do anything. Could Jesus have led an army against Rome and defeated Caesar? Absolutely. Jesus could overthrow the Roman Empire with a word.
Making the Miracle-Worker a king was a GOOD IDEA.
Jesus could have kicked the Romans out of Israel and sat on the throne for the next twenty centuries—and though He was human, I don’t believe He would have aged a single day. Not when He was also the God of the universe.
So if He could deliver Israel from Rome, lead a just society, and remain on the throne long enough to defeat Hitler 20 centuries later—well, why not? The crowds had a good idea? What’s the harm?
The harm is, He came to share the Good News about His HEAVENLY KINGDOM, and to DIE for us, so that we could be forgiven, and adopted into God’s family.
Jesus wants to save souls, not rule subjects in an earthly kingdom. In fact, even the best kingdom on this fallen world is an empty house of cards compared to God’s Heavenly Kingdom.
Jesus rejected the good because it was opposed to GOD’S BEST.
And get this:
(Wait for it…)
YOU WILL HAVE TO DO THE SAME.
As you grow in Christ, the enemy will tempt you with GOOD THINGS. They will be quick and easy and available, and probably just what you’ve always wanted. But they will not be GOD’S BEST.
God, never let us settle for the GOOD when we need to wait for the BEST.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 