12/15/13- Zealots and Macabees and Christmas

36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” (John 18:36)

19 Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.21 The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.”

22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” (John 19:19-22)

Thoughts: There were many who were looking for the Messiah to be a military genius or Jewish King.  There were several rebellions against Rome by those who thought Judea should be independent of any foreign power.  Certainly there are passages that speak of the Messiah as King and as the ruler and conqueror.  Most New Testament scholars reinterpreted most of these passages as referring to the second coming when Jesus himself spoke of coming back "in glory" and "with the angels and great power."
     Because Jesus was born in a very small town to a very poor family, and later repudiated those who would make him king after he fed the 5,000 (John 6:15), some refused to believe in Jesus.  Some postulate that Judas Iscariot (who some associate with Jewish zealots) may have been trying to force Jesus' hand in betraying him.  So many who were looking for a Messiah who would bless them physically now and establish a physical and material reign, missed Christmas.  Perhaps Simon the Zealot, who became an apostle, is an exception.  Some even postulate that the Apostle Paul was a zealot who was converted.  Many wanted a Davidic king of the Macabee line.  Jesus was Davidic, but he did not seek a physical rule.  Herod the Idumean ("The Great") claimed Macabbean ties but he tried to kill the Messiah (Mt. 2).  
    There are those who think the Church is weak because it does not seek political means to accomplish her goals.  But in the end, Jesus, the meek one, has inherited the earth.  It is precisely because of the cross and its accompanying resurrection that Jesus is reigning over us.  The reign of God is not simply political, but it is mainly a rule over hearts.  

Prayer: Rule in my heart, Lord Jesus.  Let me honor you as my King of kings.