We Don’t Want the Man To Reign Over Us

Scripture: “We do not want this man to reign over us.” Luke 19:14

Observation: Jesus is telling a parable as he nears Jerusalem about a nobleman who goes away and leaves servants in charge. The citizens of the kingdom rebel against his choice of authority. They plead with the nobleman—“we don’t want that man to reign over us.” This parallels the attitude of the Jews who rejected the Messiah. It also parallels our attitudes today—we really don’t want this man Jesus to reign over us.

Application: Jesus is fine as long as he is a role model or spiritual guide. He is fine as long as his words line up with what we want. But the moment that he begins to make demands on our lives, we rebel. I see this in how this world interacts with Jesus, and I see it in my life. I still have areas of my life that I feel are mine, outside of Jesus. Not necessarily bad things, but my things. Will I submit to the authority of Christ? He is more than a good buddy or spiritual guide. He is the man appointed to reign over me.

Prayer: Jesus, I cling to you as savior but recoil from you as Lord. Forgive me for resisting the man who reigns over me. I am asking the Spirit all week to use me throughout the day. Please let me connect this to your authority. To see that these are not suggestions from a guide, but calls from a commander.