The King Who Wouldn’t Be King

If someone offered you a kingdom, would you take it?

Here’s the scene:

Jesus and his disciples are being swarmed by a massive, miracle-craving crowd of men, women, and children. We’re probably talking somewhere in the range of 10,000 people. The crowd wasn’t really interested in Jesus the teacher; they were more interested in Jesus the healer. John 6:2 says -

And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick.

And this teeming mass of humanity was hungry. Starving hungry. But there was a slight problem: there was a slight food shortage. The disciples managed to scrape together five barley loaves and two fish, and that was it. Barely enough for one person, let alone 10,000.

Jesus takes the bread and fishes, gives thanks, and starts breaking them apart. Unlike the prophets of old, Jesus doesn’t appeal to God for divine intervention. By his very actions it’s already happening.

Jesus continues breaking the bread and filling baskets until all 10,000 people have eaten their fill. Stop and wrap your mind around this. Jesus takes fives loaves of bread and two fishes and turns it into enough to feed 10,000 people. That’s an act of divine creation. We’re getting a glimpse of the one who spoke and stars burst into existence. He creates from nothing.

When the crowd realizes what Jesus has done they’re in awe. But their awe quickly turns to action. They want to make Jesus a king, their king. They are ready to pour upon him all the earthly glory that comes with being a king.

What would you have done in that moment? I would have let them hoist me on their shoulders and carry me away in a “We Love Stephen” victory parade. I would have gladly been king. I’m so glad Jesus isn’t like me.

Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. (John 6:16)

Jesus’ final destination was not a golden throne, but a wooden cross. He could have had the most glorious kingdom in the history of the world. Instead he chose the humiliating shame of dying on a cross. Why? What would posses a man to throw away a kingdom for a cross? Only the deep, deep love of Jesus. His love for sinners was so deep that he refused earthly glory and endured the wrath of God in our place.

Now he does reign as king! And how can we not love such a king? Aren’t you grateful that Jesus refused an earthly throne to secure your salvation? Let’s rejoice in the glorious love of our king today.