September 18: TIBERIUS: NO HONOR

And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue. With the force of a flood, they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant. Daniel 11:21-22

Yes, it was with reluctance and against his better judgment that Caesar Augustus named Tiberius as his successor. His wife, Livia, had been persuasive on behalf of Tiberius, her son by a previous marriage. Tiberius exploited the relationship between his mother and his step father. He also exploited the age and weakness of Augustus as he made incessant promises to his mother about the great things he would accomplish. With his mother’s persuasions eventually wearing Augustus out, Tiberius unwittingly lived up to every particular of the terrible prophecy.

Tiberius was reckoned co-regent with Caesar Augustus in 12AD, the year he was named as successor, but remained subdued until Augustus died in the year 14. But as soon as he was in full power, his suspicious, insecure nature took over. Thousands were executed at the slightest perception of a threat to his power. Military campaigns under his leadership were especially cruel. As his armies marched through the Germanic regions of Europe and the eastern frontiers of Armenia and Parthia, people were ruthlessly swept away from before him… with the force of a flood.

…and also the prince of the covenant. This is Jesus! In Daniel 8:25, He is the Prince of princes. In 9:25, He is Messiah the Prince. The baptism and earthly ministry of our beloved Savior, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) began in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius (Luke 3:1). The decree for Him to be crucified came through Pontius Pilate, even as Pilate washed his hands while claiming innocence (Matthew 27:24). Pilate owed his governorship of Judea to the favor of Tiberius, as Pilate’s wife was his niece. You will recall that she sent a note to Pilate, declaring Jesus to be a just man (v.19). Nevertheless, this just man was broken in the reign of Tiberius.

Tiberius, more interested in his lifestyle of debauchery than in governing, retired to the Isle of Capri in the latter years of his reign, leaving most of the governance to his subordinates. His drinking and eating habits had left him debilitated, but he pretended, in brief spurts, to join in the exercises of the soldiers guarding him as a cover for his condition. After being accused of living on Capri, he left the island, stopping at a country house near Misenum. While there, on March 16, 37AD, he sunk into such a lethargy that he appeared dead. But a sudden revival threw his attendants into consternation. Some historical accounts suggest that he was then smothered with pillows by order of Caligula, his successor. Other accounts state that he died a natural death.

Pilate gave the crowd a choice between releasing Jesus or Barabbas, whose name means son of Abba. What a counterfeit to the true Son of God! The religious leaders encouraged them to choose Barabbas. Beware of deceptive personalities and popular opinions that mask dangerous agendas. God offers discernment.

The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 1 Corinthians 2:15 (see also James 1:5)