“And they began to accuse him saying, ‘We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ the king.’
So Pilate asked Jesus, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’
‘Yes, it is as you say,’ Jesus replied.” Luke 23:2-4
Jesus isn’t just accused of being Christ the king; he was and is the anointed one, the Messiah, the answer to all Israel’s hopes and dreams.
Peter later confirms this and Luke records this in Acts 2:36, “Let all of Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
The Jews anticipate a king who displays political and worldly power and force. A deliverer who elevates their status in a downtrodden and dog eat dog world. Jesus, the Messiah God sends is not who they want. When Pilate offers to give Jesus back to his people, they choose another hero, a murderer and troublemaker, Barabbas.
This leads me to ask myself the questions, “When has Jesus asked to come into my life and I have turned him away because he isn’t who I want him to be? When do I accuse Jesus of upending my world and subverting my ways?”
I pray that God frees my heart from its own stoniness so that I can be more like the transformed Peter. Daily, I surrender my life to Christ the King, the anointed One who is so much more than I could ever dream or hope Him to be. I pray that God keeps me from being bound by my agenda and not His. I want more of Jesus and less of me.
May it be so.
Klueh
Sixty-six books in a year 
Isn’t it fascinating, though, to know that somehow we fit into God’s plan? I love Ephesians 2:10, which says, “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Kind of puts it all into perspective for me!
I love that verse!