Matins Devotion: June 21, 2024

John 19:1-22

What do the Chief Priests really want when they conspire to put Jesus to death? Well, if you take them at their word in John chapter 11, the answer is fairly straightforward. They don’t believe they should have to suffer under Roman rule. They shouldn’t have to live with Caesar as their king because God is their king. They shouldn’t have to pay tribute to this pagan ruler when they’re the sons of God. And they think the true Messiah will free them from this foreign rule. But if the people keep chasing after this false Messiah named Jesus, then the Romans will come in, destroy their city and make things even worse for them.

But in our reading from John 19 today, the chief priests reveal the insincerity of that answer. When Pilate cries out “shall I crucify your king,” the chief priests respond, “we have no king but Caesar.” So they don’t want Jesus gone because they think that’s how they’ll get rid of Caesar. In fact, they’ll gladly keep Caesar if that’s how they get rid of Jesus. Rather, they want Jesus gone so they can keep the honor and glory He’s been taking away from them by showing His power of sin, death, and the grave. Caesar isn’t maybe a small threat to that, but Jesus is a much bigger threat. So the chief priests would rather call Caesar their god than acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God.

Don’t believe the lies of your sinful nature. When you find yourself riddled with doubt, your wicked heart isn’t trying to push Jesus away to make room for a better Messiah. Your heart is pushing him away so that you can worship yourself, so that you build a temple to the desires of the flesh, to your pride, to all your sins.”

But Jesus Christ your King has already raided that temple. He’s already emptied that temple of your transgressions and slaughtered those sins upon the cross. And on the third day, the King of Kings showed His power over Caesar and every would-be king of this world when He rose from the grave and revealed His kingdom of eternal righteousness.

So come join Him in that kingdom. Let go of your sins. Stop making altars and temples and crowns and palaces to the things He’s already conquered. Come find forgiveness, life, and salvation in the wounds of the King who knew you would war against Him and yet still chose to forgive you, save you, love you, and claim you as His own forever.