“From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, ‘If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.‘ So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat… It was the day of Preparation of the Passover… He said to the Jews, ‘Behold your King!‘ They cried out, ‘Away with him, away with him, crucify him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar.‘ So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.” John 19:12-16
“Jesus said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they marveled at him.” Mark 12:17
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” Romans 13:1-2
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2
“The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Proverbs 29:25
Jesus knew well the fickleness of His hearers and their convoluted handling of authority. They were persnickety about the slightest rule and parsing laws, yet abandoned justice because of crowd persuasion. Governor Pilate wanted to do right, but wanted to please (or placate) the masses more. Of course the Sovereign had set both Caesar and Pilate in place, but God alone was supreme. Only a clear mind could get priorities right and know who was due what.
We get upturned in our thinking about allegiances. The scriptures are clear about headship and authority, but the pressures and entanglements of work demands, peer approval, an impressionable culture, and heated emotions muddy the landscape and mess with our hearts. Fear draws us one way, salacious desires another, and the order and devotion we feel in private moments with the Lord falls to the wayside. When worldly pressures abound, we must keep our allegiance bound to Christ. (John 18:15-17,25-27; 1 Corinthians 11:3)
Are there places or situations where we straddle the place between Christ and the world? Where we’re committed in word but not in desire or deed? Do we know from the Word our responsibility to Caesar, and fulfill it with care? How are we practically honoring those in authority over us for Christ’s sake, not only with fickle submission when we feel like it? Where do we give too much allegiance to the world, at the cost of fidelity to our Savior? When do we succumb to worldly fear more than fear of God?
How do we esteem the greater worthiness of God almighty, and submit to His demands that we lay down our lives for Him? How do our obedience and priorities evidence Him as preeminent Ruler? Reordering allegiances to God first magnifies His supremacy. (Romans 12:1; 1 John 4:3)
Lord, help me keep, honor, and obey You first.
As the rain and snow 