But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. Luke 19:27
Herod the Great was a cruel and ruthless king, as we know by his order to slaughter all the young children around Bethlehem in an attempt to get rid of the King who had been described by the Magi. Herod knew that he was hated by the Jewish people, and he knew that when he died, the people would celebrate and not mourn. So he arranged to have all the Jewish leaders arrested, with instructions that when he died, they were to be killed. That way, the people would mourn, even if they were not mourning for him. On his death, Archelaus took over the throne. But kings under the Roman authority were required to go to Rome and have their title confirmed. Archelaus went to Rome, but so did a delegation of the Jews, to urge the emperor not to give him the title of king. They were successful. Although Archelaus was given authority to rule, he was not to be given the title of king until he earned it. He never did. Within ten years, he was tossed out of power because of his bad administration. The Lord Jesus knew His audience was well aware of Archelaus’ case, when he told the parable of which our text today forms a part.
Those who opposed making Archelaus king had good reason for doing so. They had valid arguments to present to the emperor. And history proved them right. But that is not the case for those who opposed making the Lord Jesus king. Recall how the Jewish leaders went before Pilate to formally declare that they would not have Jesus to rule over them. We have no king but Caesar, they said. Jesus Christ had a perfect claim to the throne. And in a coming day, when He sets up His earthly kingdom, those Jewish leaders will be proven wrong, because that kingdom will be perfect in its administration. And the enemies of His administration, include all who reject His claim to be King, will pay dearly for their rejection. That is one of the warnings that we as Christians must include in our Gospel message.
Herod’s soldiers in mockery knelt before Jesus. Pilate in mockery wrote a title for the cross to identify Jesus as the King of the Jews. They will join untold numbers of other mockers, as well as untold numbers of other bitter opponents, when the Lord Jesus deals with their rejection. That includes those around us today who have no time for the Gospel and the claims of Christ. Sadly, unless we can impress upon them the need to bow the knee to His authority in time, they will pay for their rejection in eternity. Some good people were faithful to us, bringing before us not only the dangers of rejecting Christ, but of the wonders and blessings of welcoming His kingdom.
We have joyfully welcomed the rightful King to His throne. Through grace we are spared the judgment described in our text. -Jim MacIntosh