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Would I Denounce The King?
Rod ShimabukuroThey 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. So they took Jesus, John 19:15-16
Jesus, wearing the crown of thorns, having been battered and whipped, was being given over to the Jews for a verdict. The chief priests, Jewish leaders and people were calling for His execution. Pilate recognizes Jesus as the Jews King - but the Jews would have nothing to do with Him. Instead they pay honor to King Caesar over the Messiah - the Son of God sent by God!
“We have no King but Caesar” is more than dishonoring, as they denounce Jesus’ claim to be sent by Father God. His very own reject Him a final time before He is given over to be crucified.
I personally feel that apostasy was very real in the first century as well as today. Although controversial, I believe that I can reject Jesus and denounce Him in my heart and life. I am vulnerable to that possibility, if I choose to walk away from and reject Him as the Way, Truth and Life - the Only Son of God.
I’m not afraid of being or becoming an apostate - but I feel a strong warning... to warn others who are walking the “fence” in their Christian walk. They claim to be living for Christ, but they obey a portion of His Word - which is convenient for them. I don’t wish apostasy on anyone - of course not. But I pray that I would be a shepherd who would guide, teach, warn - even rebuke those in the faith, who are tampering with rejecting the whole counsel of His Word.
Dear Spirit of God. Thank You for revealing Jesus to my heart - and being a covenant keeper. Helping me to keep covenant with my Lord and Savior and Messiah...Jesus. Please keep my heart, protect my life form the evil one - who deceives and destroys souls. I denounce every evil and form of it - giving myself each day to live under the Lordship of Jesus! Help me to be uncompromising in faith to shepherd others in the way of Truth.
