Continuing my study of Matthew 27, I read the account of how Pilate’s soldiers mistreated Jesus after He had been scourged. It says that they put a scarlet robe on Him. In my research, I learned that scarlet was a cheap imitation of the royal purple that was reserved for Roman Emperors.
They then placed a crown of thorns on His head. Why? Because all Caesars were adorned with a laurel circlet, and this was their mocking substitute.
Next, they gave Him a reed in His right hand, directly imitating the scepter that Caesar likewise held. And then they bowed the knee and cried out, “Hail, King of the Jews!” This was their own variation of the common cry throughout the Roman Empire—“Hail, Caesar!”
There is such tremendous irony here. The Roman soldiers thought that they were mocking a false Caesar, One who in no way compared to their great Emperor. However, in reality the tables were turned—their beloved Caesar was severely limited in his actual authority and grandeur, while this bloodied and beaten man before them was truly the one and only Caesar, the only Emperor with true authority and deserving of full honor.
So . . . which Caesar (or Caesars) do YOU worship? Do you worship the one true Christ, who is “before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17)? Or . . . do you worship some other Caesar—an authority who is only recognized by this world, and who has little power to make any true or lasting difference?
Which Caesar commands your attention, your resources, your honor?
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