KING OF THE JEWS
TEXT: Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, ”Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.'” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” (John 19.19-22)
Jesus must’ve made a strong impression on Pontius Pilate. It wasn’t enough to stop the execution; but it was enough for Pilate to insist on giving Jesus His correct title. And the fact that it enraged Jesus’ enemies was probably just an extra advantage in Pilate’s eyes.
Pilate would’ve been thinking about their earlier conversation, where Jesus clarified what it meant for Him to be a king. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world…. You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world-to bear witness to the truth” (John 18.36b, 37b).
And what was that truth that Jesus came to bear witness to? It was simply this: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned” (John 3.16-18a).
WE PRAY: Lord, You are my King who has saved me. Thank You. Amen.
——————— Reflection Questions
• Who is the true King of Israel? (See Isaiah 44.6.)
• What kind of a king serves his people, instead of them serving him?
• If Jesus is a King, what is His crown and His throne?
Responses