Another King?

Do you remember? Exodus 20:3? "Thou shall have no other gods before Me!" In case you need a reminder, that is the 1st of 10 Commandments. Seems pretty clear, or does it?

In Acts 17, Paul comes to Thessalonica and does what he has done elsewhere.  In the Greek city, there was a synagogue. Paul begins to proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah and that the Jews and Greeks should accept Jesus' lordship. Many believed, but the Jewish leaders became jealous. They make a statement that should cause us to rethink some of our own behavior. "These people who have been turning the world upside-down have come here also, and Jason has entertained them as guests. They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the Emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus (Acts 17:8-9)."

Let's unpack this statement. The first accusation is that the believers, led by Paul, are turning the world upside down. Look around, people! The world IS already upside down. It was in Paul's day and it seems to be the same today. Decadence is front and center, and if you point it out, YOU are at fault. Following God's word is frowned upon, spit upon, and even frowned upon inside the Church. Paul is laying out the Messiah by using Scripture, and the Jews (claiming Scriptural authority) are accusing him of sedition.  The definition of decadence is interesting here.  "The act of falling into an inferior condition or state ... decay."  Then, and now, the church was in decay.  The world and the church WERE upside down already!

The second accusation was that Paul and the believers were promoting Jesus as another king besides the Emperor. So the question seems to be, "Who is their king?" Is it the God of Exodus 20:3? Is it the Messiah predicted and proclaimed by the Old Testament? Is it Caesar? And, what is it for us? Is it our political agenda? Is it our favorite sport? Is it our lifestyle? Do WE have another king?

The world is upside down. In these Pre-Christian times, a revival is needed. How will that happen? I believe it will happen when we allow the Jesus Paul talks about to become our one true King. For our kings are failing us. They fall to self-interests, pride, corruption, and corporate greed. These kings are empty, ultimately powerless, and decaying. But King Jesus comes to an upside-down world and offers peace, forgiveness, grace, direction, and hope. Come to Jesus, and come to His table this Sunday.  He is our one true King and our true God, co-reigning with the Holy Spirit and the Father. We need Him!  Come, Jesus our King!  AMEN