The Narrow Path

Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God, a realm that differs radically from the governments and ideologies of the modern world. Jesus arrived in Galilee proclaiming the “Kingdom of God” – “Repent, for the kingdom is at hand.” In his ministry, the reign of God was invading the Earth. However, the nature of his realm was radically different than the governments and political ideologies of the existing world order, and more than once, Jesus refused political power, especially when offered by Satan.

The Devil promised the Son of God control over “all the kingdoms of the world.” To gain such power, Satan required Jesus to acknowledge his overlordship. The cost of political power was submission to his satanic agenda and authority. Moreover, according to the Devil, the kingdoms of this age “have been delivered to me and I give them to whomever I will.”

[Dark Road - Photo by Daniele Buso on Unsplash]

Jesus did not dispute Satan’s “right” to dispense political power, but he refused it all the same. Instead, he submitted to the path of the ‘Suffering Servant of the LORD’ - (Matthew 4:8-11, Luke 4:5-7, Isaiah 53:1-12).

Since that event, his disciples have faced the same test whenever the opportunity to obtain political power has presented itself. The choice is whether to succumb to the temptation to wield power over others and “do a little evil that good might come,” or to choose the same self-denying path that Jesus did.

Nevertheless, how could God’s appointed king reign over the rebellious nations of the Earth without the military and economic might of the State? - (Psalm 2:6-8).

Rather than resorting to the political methods of this evil age, Jesus embraced the way of the Cross. In the “Kingdom of God,” victory is achieved through self-denial and sacrificial service for the Kingdom. Rather than dominating others through force, he “gave his life as a ransom for many,” a real-world example for his disciples to follow.

The temptation in the “wilderness” was not the end of Satan’s political intrigues. Following his rebuff, “the Devil departed from him until an opportune time.”

For example, after Jesus miraculously fed a multitude, certain men plotted “to seize him and make him king.” However, he walked away when the mob decided to make him king. Many minds turned against Jesus after this incident - (Luke 4:13, John 6:15).

Jesus of Nazareth would not become the militaristic messiah bent on destroying Rome that so many of his contemporaries desired. The closer he came to his death, the more the fickle crowds rejected him. A “suffering servant” who lays down his life for friend and foe alike was the last thing they wanted - (Luke 4:13, John 6:15).

Contrary to his contemporaries, Jesus “took on the form of a slave” and became “obedient unto death, even death on a cross,” therefore, God bestowed on him “the name, which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”

The followers of Christ are summoned to adopt the same mind that he demonstrated when he gave his life as a “ransom for many,” including the “enemies” of God. Jesus died for all men, not just the righteous or the Jewish nation - (John 3:16, Romans 5:10, Philippians 2:6-11).

The choice is between the cruciform and rough pathway that Jesus walked, or the self-serving and seemingly smooth superhighway offered by Satan and the ideologies of this world.

Jesus calls us to “deny ourselves, take up the cross,” and follow him on the cruciform road - the only one that leads to the Kingdom of God. If we refuse to deny ourselves, take up his Cross, and follow him on his pathway, we may find ourselves accounted “unworthy” of him and unfit for citizenship in his Kingdom.

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SEE ALSO:

• His Unique Kingdom -  (Jesus proclaimed a new and different political reality, the Kingdom of God, and it bears little resemblance to the governments of this world)

• The Royal Servant - (Following his baptism in the Jordan, the voice from heaven identified Jesus as the Son of God and the Servant of the LORD)

• A Very Different King - (The Lamb’s reign commenced with his death and resurrection, and since then, he has been shepherding the nations toward New Jerusalem)