Not What He Seems

 

An old Native American wanted a loan for $500. The banker pulled out the loan application. “What are your plans for the money?” he asked. “Buy silver, make jewelry, and sell it,” was the response. “What do you have for collateral?” Puzzled, the man says, “Don’t know collateral.” The banker explained, “Well, that’s something of value that would cover the cost of the loan. Have you got any vehicles?” “Yes, 1949 Chevy pick-up.”  “How about livestock?” “Yes, I have a horse.” “How old is it,” “Don’t know, has no teeth,” the man replied. The banker decided to make the $500 loan. Several weeks later the old man comes in the bank, pulls out a roll of money, and pays off the loan. The banker was impressed and tries to convince the man to deposit the rest of his money in the bank. Not sure of the banker’s proposition he asked, “What you got for collateral?”

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, 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 fierce grizzly bear. To a casual observer, a grazing bison appears slow and clumsy, but it can outrun, out-turn, and traverse rougher terrain than all but the fleetest horse. The bison can move at speeds of up to thirty-five miles-per-hour, for as long as thirty minutes. One who hunts the bison might find the bison hunting him.

[John 18:36] “…My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom 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 60 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 first-hand testimony about His words from those who heard Him. 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. Jesus had said that He would die by being “lifted up,” referring to crucifixion. 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, 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 with thorns. They blindfolded, struck, spat upon, and mocked Him. “Hail, King of the Jews!” they laughed.

Like the bison, Jesus has frequently been misunderstood and underestimated. He is a King, but of another realm. That will be evident when this world’s kingdoms have all vanished. He is a King, but He 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 from the slavery of sin. 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, in all power and glory. Trust Him! Obey Him! Love Him! But never underestimate the King of kings! Glorify His Name! (Revelation 15:3-4)