The Kingdom Threatened

[Daily Devotional]

The Kingdom Threatened 

When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force,
to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. John 6:
15. 

Seated upon the grassy plain, in the twilight of the spring evening, the
people ate of the food that Christ had provided. . . . No human power could
create from five barley loaves and two small fishes food sufficient to feed
thousands of hungry people. And they said one to another, "This is of a
truth that Prophet that should come into the world" (John 6: 14). . . . He
can conquer the nations, and give to Israel the long- sought dominion. 

In their enthusiasm the people are ready at once to crown Him king. They see
that He makes no effort to attract attention or secure honor to Himself. . .
. They fear that He will never urge His claim to David's throne. Consulting
together, they agree to take Him by force, and proclaim Him the King of
Israel. . . . Jesus sees what is on foot, and understands, as they cannot,
what would be the result of such a movement. . . . Violence and insurrection
would follow an effort to place Him on the throne, and the work of the
spiritual kingdom would be hindered. Without delay the movement must be
checked. Calling His disciples, Jesus bids them take the boat and return at
once to Capernaum. . . . 

Jesus now commands the multitude to disperse; and His manner is so decisive
that they dare not disobey. . . . The kingly bearing of Jesus, and His few
quiet words of command, quell the tumult, and frustrate their designs. They
recognize in Him a power above all earthly authority, and without a question
they submit. 

When left alone, Jesus "went up into a mountain apart to pray.". . . He
prayed for power to reveal to men the divine character of His mission, that
Satan might not blind their understanding and pervert their judgment. . . .
In travail and conflict of soul He prayed for His disciples. . . . Their
long- cherished hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed
in a most painful and humiliating manner. In the place of His exaltation to
the throne of David they were to witness His crucifixion. This was to be
indeed His true coronation. 

>From God's Amazing Grace - Page 45