Empires do not like rival kings. That’s why Herod set out to kill babies, hoping he could get the one of them that might rival him someday. That is why Jesus was asked, “Are you a king?” That is why Caesar’s empire had to bring Him down. That’s the meaning of the inscription over His cross. The humble Jesus was a radical threat to their kingdoms; Jesus’ followers were persecuted for their kingdom views for almost 200 years. The Emperor Constantine co-opted Jesus and His followers to keep himself in power and confused the kingdom of Rome with Jesus’ kingdom. The collapse of Rome collapsed the faith for many Roman Christians. The true Kingdom will stand after all the others are gone.
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” John 18:36 (NIV)
