Our highlighted question for Week 2 of the Lenten Book Club is: How are God’s ways of reigning and Caesar Augustus’ ways of reigning different?
Here are my thoughts: Like many rulers throughout history, Caesar ruled by invoking fear in the people through violence. Caesar wanted all the glory for himself and for everyone to pay homage to him and if they didn’t, they were toast. On the flip side, God wants people to choose Him and follow Him of their own volition. He is concerned with the best interests of the people and delights in blessing them. In Philippians Paul notes the Christ did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but rather humbled Himself becoming a servant to all. Instead of seeking all the glory for Himself, Jesus wanted to make mankind glorious in the image of the Father. While at times God disciplines His people, it is out of concern for them and to bring them back to Him, not out of marred pride or fear of losing power, like Caesar. Interestingly, I would venture to say in a game of chess, God’s strategy for reigning would get him the checkmate over Caesar’s. After all, how many followers of Caesar do you see around today?
So now, what are your thoughts?