I submit that, wittingly or unwittingly, a great host of pastors and churches today have all but lost sight of this most significant and foundational doctrine. Like the Pharisees of old, their man-made traditions – and political connections to secular power – have supplanted the sovereignty of Christ over their lives and over their churches. The Pharisees knew they were subjects of Rome, and they assisted their Roman overlords in keeping the people in subjection. As a result, the Pharisees had a very profitable and cozy relationship with Caesars Roman Empire. They enjoyed great financial benefits from cooperating with the Roman government and were given great latitude by Rome to govern the Jewish people. They had the power of disbarment, persecution, arrest, and incarceration. They had virtually unlimited power over the people. About the only power they did not have without Romes consent was the power of crucifixion. Pastors today who say that Jesus never challenged civil government dont know what they are talking about. The Pharisees were as much a part of the civil government of Rome as they were a spiritual authority of Judaism. In fact, they were the direct authority of Rome over Judea. By challenging the authority of the Pharisees, Jesus was challenging the authority of Rome. The Pharisees – and everyone else – understood it. Thats what the question of the Roman penny was all about. And thats why the Pharisees accused Jesus of being a traitor to Caesar (civil government) before Pilate. And thats why the Pharisees hated Jesus: he dared to challenge their authority – civil and spiritual.
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 16:53:28 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015