We Have No King But Caesar

Passage: John 19:1-16

The interplay between Pilate and Jesus’ accusers centers on the title, “King of the Jews.” Pilate repeatedly refers to Jesus as the Jews’ king. We’re not told why he does so, but we can guess. Pilate isn’t that interested in the Jews’ culture or religion. In the scheme of things, they’re an insignificant people in an insignificant corner of the Roman Empire. Pilate is biding his time putting up with this assignment until he can move on to bigger and better things. Lately his assignment has been more and more difficult to put up with. His charges are a testy, volatile people who get worked up over the smallest minutiae in their religious practices. Pilate looks for every excuse to come down hard on the residents of Judea. Looks for every excuse to reveal them as the petty, superstitious and troublemaking people they are.

Then this opportunity gets dropped in his lap. The religious establishment of Judea show up on his doorstep dragging this sorry-looking guy whom they’ve obviously spent the night beating. And they say, “Execute this man. He keeps claiming to be ‘king of the Jews!’” For Pilate this is like a child coming to him and saying, “Give my sister a time-out. She keeps telling me she’s the boss!” Pilate suppresses a laugh. Then he thinks, “Alright. I’m going to play along.” As the conversation progresses, Pilate pretends not to have heard the first part of their statement about Jesus claiming to be king of the Jews. Instead, he acts as though he is king of the Jews. From this point forward, Pilate refers to Jesus as "King of the Jews." When he addresses the crowd he calls Jesus “Your King.” Pilate delights in the way the priests, Pharisees, and onlookers get just a little more ticked off every time he calls Jesus “King.” He plays it straight; uses the title “King” as a jab, needling and needling and needling the Jews until they can’t stand it any longer. By the time Pilate’s done, they are literally screaming for Jesus’ blood.

The Jews, on the other hand, have accused Jesus of claiming to be king because they believe this is the only allegation that will attract the Romans’ attention. They want Jesus executed. They’re not allowed to do it. Only the Romans can. The Romans wouldn’t take a second look at a rogue rabbi who’s teaching a new spin on God’s Law and is performing the occasional miracle. They don’t care about that stuff. But if the Jews can convince the Romans that Jesus is a dangerous insurrectionist with designs on the throne, they figure they’ll get a reaction.

Pilate doesn’t buy it for a minute. But as the Jews start to see their chances of nailing Jesus to a tree slip through their fingers, they get desperate. They get all the more adamant in their accusation. “He’s a threat to the Emperor! Honest!” When Pilate says, “No, I’m not going to execute your king.” it’s the last straw. In a frenzy they say, “He’s not our king! We only have one king!”

There’s a moment of silence. Pilate waits for it. The crowd waits for it. These are Jews – God’s people. They’ve only ever had one king; God has demanded that they have only one king. Their identity has been based on their allegiance to only one rightful Lord and King. And that king is…

“Caesar!” they say, “Our king is Caesar.”

This must be the darkest moment in the history of God’s people. The moment at which, in order to get what they want, they cash in all their chips. In order to get what they want they declare a convenient allegiance to one who is not their king. They trade in the King of their hearts – the King of Heaven and Earth – for a moment’s satisfaction. They get their moment. When they scream, “Crucify him!” Pilate says, “Fine, have it your way.” It’s done. They get what they want. But at what cost?

God’s people are cautioned at every turn to stop and think about what we’re trading in. Are we willing to trade our true King for convenient substitutes when those substitutes offer what we think we want? Have we made allegiances to false kings when our true King seems too far off? The next time you get asked that question, think long and hard before you answer. You can only have one king. Who’s it going to be?