4th December 2024

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

Theme: DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS

THEME SCRIPTURE: "But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar." John 19:15 KJV

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. Why would we reject that which is superior for that which is inferior?

The Jews had been waiting for the coming of the Messiah for centuries. This Messiah, who the prophets spoke about, would save them. After a long wait, two people burst onto the Jewish scene—John the Baptist and Jesus. John was fierce and unfriendly, eating locusts and honey. The Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him whether he was the one to come. John assured them that he was not. The people who were expecting the Messiah eventually beheaded him.

The ministry of Jesus followed. Gentle and friendly He was; healing their sick and raising their dead, yet the high priest and his people wouldn't accept Jesus. He reminded them that He is the Son of God, the one the scriptures testify about. Nevertheless, the Jews sought to kill Him. What is going on here?

Then came the hour of the Jews, and they delivered Jesus to Pilate to crucify Him. Pilate found no fault in Him. His attempt to free Jesus was met with fierce resistance from the Jews. Why should He [Jesus] be crucified? Simply because Jesus testified that He has a kingdom, and therefore He is a king. Sensing that Pilate wanted to free Jesus, the Jews reminded him, "If you let this man go, you are not Caesar's friend: whosoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar" (John 19:12). Having scourged Jesus, Pilate presented Him to the Jews with these words, "Behold your king." To which they shouted in reply, "...We have no king but Caesar! We have no king but Caesar! We have no king but Caesar!"

Beloved, placing Caesar by Jesus, the Jews preferred the emperor as their king. The emperors of Rome were seen as gods.

They were brute, crushing anything in their way. The true Son of God was rejected and man-made gods were accepted. The people who sought the Messiah rejected Him who is spiritual, opting for that which is carnal. Jesus was rejected because men loved darkness rather than light. They would rather choose Caesar as their king because their deeds were evil. The Jews and their high priest preferred their oppressors to Jesus. They hated Jesus with a passion.

The reason is this: "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved" (John 3:20). They settled for the oppressor; they settled for less.

Precious One, any time you see a man at loggerheads with Christ or the message of the gospel, it is likely the person hates the light that shines in darkness and convicts men of their sins. Similarly, those who have believed in Christ, let's not settle for theologies that are not of God just because they sound nice. Yes, they will sound sweet in our ears; that is what we want to hear rather than what God is saying. Let's not settle for less because less is not of God, and if it is not of God, it is nothing at all.

From henceforth, may our confession be this: "We have a king; we know no Caesar! We have a king; His name is Jesus! We have a king; what He says is final in our lives!"

Remain blessed.

FURTHER READING: John 3:16-21

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. How supreme is God's word in your life?

2. How has your obedience to His Word been this year?

CONFESSION

Precious Jesus, I have accepted you as my King, my Lord, and my Savior. My allegiance is to you alone. With your help, I choose not to be a convenient Christian but one who is instant in season and out of season. I choose to live for you alone. Hallelujah!

ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Job 5, Micah 1, Hebrews 11