Jesus proclaimed a new political reality, the Kingdom of God, one that bears little resemblance to the political systems 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, 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 Satan offered it. With the arrival of the Messiah, every man must now choose which kingdom and ruler he will serve.

In the “Wilderness,” the Devil promised Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world.” To attain absolute power, the Son of God must “render homage” to the Tempter and acknowledge him as overlord. The price of political power in this age is submission to Satan, and according to the Adversary, the kingdoms of this age “have been delivered to me and I give them to whomever I will.”

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. His royal destiny led inexorably to death on a Roman Cross rather than Caesar’s Throne – (Matthew 4:8-11, Luke 4:5-7).

Ever since then, Christ’s disciples have faced the same test whenever the opportunity to obtain political power presents itself. The choice is whether to succumb to the temptation to wield power over others or to choose the same self-denying path of service chosen by Jesus. To be great in God’s Kingdom, his disciple must first learn to be the “servant and the slave of all, just as the Son of Man gave his life a ransom for many” – (Mark 10:43-45).

Nevertheless, how could God’s appointed king reign over rebellious nations and peoples without the economic might of the State or the legions of Rome? Do not the Nations of the Earth “rage against Yahweh and His Anointed One”? – (Psalm 2:6-8).

Rather than resorting to the political methods of this evil age, Jesus embraced the Way of the Cross. The Word of the Cross is the very “power and wisdom of God.” 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 – (1 Corinthians 1:24).

The Son of God overcame the Devil on that day, but this was not the end of Satan’s political intrigues. Following his rebuff by Christ, “the Devil departed from him until a more 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 very point the mob was determined to crown him king, but in doing so, he turned many minds against him.

The Son of Man would not become the militaristic messiah bent on destroying Rome that so many of his contemporaries craved. The closer he came to death, the more the fickle crowds rejected Jesus. A “suffering servant” who would sacrifice his life for friend and foe alike was the last thing they wanted, and so it remains in many churches to this very day – (Luke 4:13, John 6:15).

Contrary to the desires of 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, the Nazarene summons his followers to adopt the same mindset – (Philippians 2:1-11).

OUR CHOICE

The choice before us is between the rough and often lonely road traveled by Jesus 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.

Rather than power over others, Christ’s realm is characterized by self-sacrificial service for others and the rescue and forgiveness of persecutors and other “enemies.” We become like God by loving our enemies and doing good to them – (Matthew 5:43-48, Romans 12:19-21):

“Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance belongs to me. I will recompense, says the Lord. If your enemy hungers, feed him. If he thirsts, give him to drink, for in so doing, you will pile coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Those who show mercy will be pronounced “blessed” in Christ’s domain and receive mercy, especially the forgiveness of sins. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ “desires mercy, not sacrifice” – (Matthew 5:7, 12:7).

This is a way of life totally alien to the political ideologies and “wisdom” of this sinful world. Jesus is calling all men and women to “deny themselves, take up the cross,” and follow him on this same path.

His narrow path is the only one that leads to the Kingdom of God, and those who choose another way will never enter that realm. They are “unworthy” of him and unfit for citizenship in his Father’s Kingdom.

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