Choosing the Emperor Over the King

I know we are a week past Easter Sunday, but something has been running through my mind ever since our Good Friday service at my church nine days ago.

At the Good Friday service, I was given the following passage to read from John 19:15. 

They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” 

Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” 
The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor.”

Now, I realize that everything that happened in connections with Jesus' trial and crucifixion was already known by God. He wasn't taken by surprise by any of it. Even so, I still find the dynamics that were going on in this situation very interesting...and very challenging.