Let's Make a Deal

Do you like deals? Do you like negotiating deals? Do you like giving deals or getting deals? Pontius Pilate was a professional deal-maker. His job was to revenues for Rome, keep the peace, by, when possible, making deals. He was the State Supreme Court before going to Rome. Jesus was a problem, and Pilate tried to make a deal between the religious leaders, Jesus and the crowds.
His deal did not work. Pilate could not broker a deal between Jesus and the leaders or crowds or even the powers of Rome because Jesus would not back down from nor deny being KING; King of the Jews. Bold, stark, offensive and non-negotiable. Jesus claimed to be King....and still does.
I try to work out deals with Jesus all the time. If I'm really faithful, will you make me successful? If I pray hard, will you keep me well? If we love you, will you make sure we get along with the planning commission? If I preach well, will you make sure people like me? And guess what? Still no deals. Kings do not make deals. They rule and reign and we, their subjects need to learn to obey, not broker deals.