Luke 23:56 "The soldiers also made fun of him: they came up to him and offered him cheap wine, and said, "Save yourself if you are the king of the Jews!"
People would only view this in the context of sin and redemption, but its a lesson hidden from view.
In the movie "Troy" Achilles once said after reluctantly agreeing to fight a champion to protect his fellow soldiers he said "Imagine a king that fights his own battles. Wouldn't that be a sight.
Alexander the Great was once offered water when his fellow soldiers had none. He poured it out to show his fate was with his soldiers.
(There are counter examples to this ethic of comraderie. The last Pagan emperor guided the battle from behind and the Germans had their leader in front. The Romans were Victorious because the soldiers were disciplined and well guided. Being in the lead and being a good leader are two different things.)
When Alexander came to Jerusalem they opened the gates to him peacefully. Identifying a scripture that foretold his coming.
Caesar himself was killed by the Senate who proclaimed "Thus ever to all tyrants." Of course, the Senate itself was the kingship at that time, but the essence of freedom being anti-king is a Roman ethic. Caesar fought with his soldiers and shared their risks and their successes.
What Rome was saying and what Caesar was saying to Jesus, "It doesn't matter what you did or who you are. If you let everyone down by failing to redirect then youre just as worthless as any king.)
It was a challenge to Jesus to keep his word and not fail his people.
A thought lost on many people it seems.
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