A spider built
a beautiful web. He kept it clean and whenever a flying insect would land on it;
he’d take care of it quickly so others would not get suspicious. On one
occasion, a young fly was enticed by the spider, “Come and land on my web and
rest your wings for a while. It won’t hurt.” But the fly didn’t trust the
spider since he didn’t see any other flies on the web. So, he flew elsewhere, and
it wasn’t long before he saw a bunch of flies who appeared to be having the
time of their lives! He felt safe in a large group and decided to join them. He
was warned by another insect, “Turn around! Don’t land there! It’s flypaper and
very dangerous!” The young fly didn’t believe him and snickering he replied, “All
those flies look like their having a great time dancing around, there’s nothing
to be afraid of!” He didn’t listen and lost his life stuck in the glue, but he
didn’t die alone.
At Harding University,
the mascot is the bison. Its statue seems powerful, aggressive, and
intimidating. Some have described this animal’s temperament as unpredictable.
It may appear peaceful, concerned, and even lazy. Yet, it may attack anything,
often without warning or apparent reason. The bison’s head, with its massive
skull, can be used as a battering ram, effectively using the momentum produced
by 2,000 pounds moving at thirty miles per hour! When the bison ran wild,
people rated it second only to the Alaskan brown bear as a potential killer,
even more dangerous than the grizzly bear. To a casual observer, a grazing
bison appears to be slow and clumsy, but it can outrun, out turn, and
transverse rougher terrain than all but the fleetest horse. The bison can move
at speeds up to thirty-five miles per hour, for as long as thirty minutes. One
who hunts the bison might just find the bison hunting him!
[John 18:36] Jesus
answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were of this world, My
servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now my
kingdom is not from here.” A Roman cohort, likely consisting of 600
soldiers, went with Judas to Gethsemane. There they arrested Jesus, bound Him,
and led Him to Annas. One of the officers dealt Jesus a severe blow, just
because He suggested that the high priest seek firsthand testimony about His
words from those who heard Him (John 18:19-22). They convicted Him even before
they tried Him. Under Roman law the Jews were not permitted to execute anyone,
so they needed the Roman’s help (John 18:31). Jesus had said that He would die
by being “lifted up,” referring to the crucifixion (John 3:9-17). How could His
accusers convince Pilate of Jesus’ guilt? They would call Him an “evildoer,” a
blasphemer who claimed to be God’s Son and a king. But what kind of king? To
Pontius Pilate, Jesus did not appear mighty, threatening, or dangerous. Silent
and defenseless, He steadfastly and passively endured treatment that no Roman
ruler would ever tolerate. They clothed Him in purple and crowned Him in thorns.
They blindfolded, struck, spat upon, and mocked Him. “Hailed, King of the Jews!”
they laughed (John 19:1-3). Like the bison, Jesus has frequently been misunderstood
and underestimated. He is a King, but of another realm. That will be evident
when His world’s kingdoms have all vanished. He is a King but does not allow His
troops to defend Him with swords. He is a King, but He willingly surrenders to
His enemies that He might die to free His subjects. How ironic that they chose
the life-taker Barabbas instead of the life-giver Jesus. How strange that they preferred
the Roman Caesar over the heaven-sent Savior. How amazing that He who seemed so
defeated now sits on the throne at the right hand of God with all power (John
25:31-32). Obey Him; Love Him; But never underestimate the King of kings!
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