some thoughts

I find it interesting how often Paul appealed to Caesar, or made his status as a Roman citizen known to his accusers.

They seemed to back off quite quickly; to be a Roman citizen must’ve carried with it many benefits. As a Roman citizen, he was under the rulership of Caesar - but there was more than a political thing going on there. The Caesars were, in that culture, images of deity, sometimes even divine. It was common to view the king as the image of a god in heaven; the Caesar a manifestation of that heavenly rule, as a lesser (or vassal king). As a matter of fact, the Caesers were actually called Pontifex Maximus, which means “Supreme Bridge-builder” (and is, interestingly, a title retained even now by the Pope, head of the Roman chuch). Specifically, the bridge being built was between heaven and earth. I think there was some measure of the idea of being under the care and protection of Caesar, not just politically (in a primus inter pares sense), but almost with the idea of his having some kind of inherent authority. Since he was the “Lord” over that kingdom/empire, when a citizen of that kingdom such as Paul ‘invoked’ the name of Caesar, the authority of the one invoked was brought to the table.

The Kingdom of Heaven works the same way. The one mediator between God and man, the man Jesus Christ, is our vassal king. We invoke his name, we pray in his name, we come as a citizen of his kingdom under his care. Perhaps that’s another aspect of what it means to be in his name. As believers in Christ and citizens of his kingdom, we’re no longer in Adam, no longer a part of his fallen kingdom - we’re now in Christ, part of his inaugurated (but not yet consummated) kingdom. And being in that kingdom means that we have, in the heavenlies, massive and incorruptible benefits. How often do we recall these things to mind? (I’m thinking of those great scenes in the recent movie Luther: the public sermon given for the edification of others, and the private battle in the prayer closet.)

And, that this is no mere earthly king over a mere earthly kingdom, is truly amazing. We make our appeals unto, and in the name of, Jesus the Christ, the Lord over heaven and earth. Amazing.

I didn’t ask for this. Did you? God is so good, and so good to us.

Just another late night, somewhat disorganized thought.