April 18

“We Will Not Have This Man to Reign Over Us”, The Root of Rebellion

In Luke 19:14, Jesus tells a sobering truth through a parable: “But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.” This is not just a historical snapshot of Israel’s rejection of their Messiah, it’s a reflection of the heart condition of every person who refuses Christ’s lordship. It is spiritual rebellion.

False teachers don’t twist the gospel because they’re simply confused or misinformed. At the core, many of them are driven by a deep resistance to the authority of Jesus Christ. They don’t want a Savior who commands repentance and surrender, they want a god made in their own image, who demands nothing and blesses everything. So they distort the gospel, stripping it of its power and truth, to justify a life where Jesus doesn’t reign over them.

This rejection isn’t just from the world outside the church. Jesus gave this parable to warn everyone, including those who claim to follow Him. Some may profess faith, but live as though He’s not King. They take what He gives, time, truth, resources, opportunity, and squander it on themselves. They bury His gifts in the ground, assuming He won’t really hold them accountable.

But Jesus is coming back. The parable of the ten minas makes it clear: He expects His followers to stay loyal to Him and make good use of what He’s given them until He returns. The ones who invest in the Kingdom will be rewarded. The ones who ignore His commands and waste their lives will face loss. And those who outright reject His rule will face judgment. He ends the parable with a chilling statement in Luke 19:27: “But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.”

Like false teachers who twist the Bible to fit their own desires, they don’t really want to follow Jesus’ teachings. They only want His blessings while living however they please. They think that twisting the Scriptures will somehow change the outcome on judgment day or make them feel better while doing whatever they want here on earth. Worse yet, they lead others down the same path of deception. But in the end, they will face a terrible wrath from the very King they refused to obey.

The issue has always been lordship. The world wants a Jesus who saves, but not one who rules. But the real Jesus is both Savior and Lord. You can’t separate the two. The question isn’t just whether you believe in Him, it’s whether you bow to Him. Will you joyfully submit to the King, or join the crowd that says, “We will not have this man to reign over us”?

Your answer has eternal consequences.

Read / Listen
Joshua 16:1-18:28
Luke 19:1-27
Psalm 87:1-7
Proverbs 13:11

New Testament

Luke 19:1-27

Summary

Jesus and Zacchaeus
The Parable of the Ten Minas

The Parable of the Ten Minas

What is compelling about this story is this: You’re in it, every single one of you somewhere. There are only three possibilities. You are either a true servant of the nobleman. You are a false servant of the nobleman. Or you are his enemy. There are no other categories. It is again one of those amazing illustrations that Jesus invents that is comprehensive and embraces all of humanity.

~ John MacArthur

I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. ~ Luke 19:26

According to the parable, all who are faithful will be fruitful in some way.

Are these words a good description of your relationship with Christ?

Faithfulness, fidelity, loyalty, allegiance, obedience, constancy, fealty, homage