King of the Jews
Ponder: Jesus of Nazareth, King of kings and Lord of lords!
Scripture: “And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16, NKJV).
People seeing Jesus being crucified would wonder, “Who is he, and what did he do?” An inscription containing this information was usually fastened to the cross above the victim’s head. Combining the four gospel accounts, we gather that it read: “This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19).
Highly displeased, the Jews asked Pilate to revise it: “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews”’” (John 19:21). At Jesus’ trial, Pilate had asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus calmly replied, “It is as you say” (Luke 23:3). But, whereas Jesus told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), His enemies twisted His words to make them sound treasonous. To Pilate they shouted, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar” (John 19:12). Spineless Pilate caved in to this pressure, despite having stated repeatedly, “I find no fault in Him” (John 18:38; 19:4, 6).
	Pilate, however, refused to change the title. “What I have written, I have written,” he told the Jews (John 19:22). Was this a snub to the Jews, a way for Pilate to needle them? Or did he truly realize that there was much more to Jesus than met the eye? Either way, the title proclaimed the truth.
	Jesus really is the “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16). He reigns, not on an earthly throne, but a heavenly one. His kingdom is not political, but spiritual. After His resurrection, He ascended to heaven where He sat down upon the throne of His ancestor, David (Acts 2:30-33; Luke 1:32). Christians are subjects in Christ’s kingdom, for the Father “delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” Colossians 1:13). When Jesus returns to raise all the dead, He will deliver the kingdom to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24, 25). Are you ready for that great day?
Song: King of my life I crown Thee now
Prayer: Glorious Father, we happily confess Your blessed Son, Jesus, as our Lord and King. Thank You for all He did for as at Calvary. May our lives honor Him as we serve others in His name. Amen.
Joe Slater (Justin, TX)