A King or A Kingdom

"Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone." 
John 6:15 (NKJV)


Jesus "perceived" - doesn't say God "spoke" to Him, but that He "perceived" (noticed; became aware of something through the senses).  

Right after the miracle of feeding the 5k, the authorities of the day were about to come to take Him by force to be (their) King; but knowing this, Jesus immediately retreated to a place to be alone with God.  

We must be careful that we don't allow people to try to use us for their own agenda.  When we don't know our purpose,
others will determine that purpose for us to their own ends.  Like Jesus, we have to be able to discern between good and evil - between the "good" thing and the "God" thing.  

To do that, we must cultivate an intimate relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.  He will reveal His plan and purpose for your life; He will prepare and train you for it, and He will determine the appointed time to release you and initiate the plan.  Part of that process involves removing our appetite for the things of this world:  the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life.  

When our spirit and soul have been sanctified by the Holy Spirit, then we are equipped to stand against the pressures of modern culture.  It is absolutely critical that we submit to this process of consecration, if we are to be used mightily by God.  Often times, we don't need to fight, but like Jesus, when the pressure is on, wee need to get away and get alone with God.  He will strengthen us and enable us to stand.

Jesus knew He was a King, but NOT THEIR kind of King - not a King of this world.  Often the enemy will offer something that looks/sounds exactly like God's plan and purpose for your life, when, in fact, it is not.  It is a counterfeit. The question becomes which Kingdom are we serving?  The Kingdom of God or the kingdoms of this world?  

Beware of those who offer you the world:  money, power, control, love, beauty, happiness, etc.  They are not seeking the things of the Kingdom: righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit!  Remember, Jesus’ response to the Satan in the wilderness and do likewise. For what shall it profit you if you gain the whole world and lose your soul? 

Jesus never lost sight of His mission and purpose.  He did not move ahead of God in selfish ambition to gain money, power or control.  Jesus is the King of all Kings! He carries the weight of government for the entire world upon His shoulders! and of His Kingdom there is NO END!  

Let's make sure we do the right things for the right reasons - that we are led by the Spirit of God and not giving in to the pressure of others so that we will be accepted or to avoid persecution.  Standing up to the opposition is part of the call of God on our lives.  Stand firm and stay your course!  Amen!