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John 18:33-36
Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
New International Version (NIV)
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We all need a King. At the time of Jesus’ capture and crucifixion, the Jews had no king of their own. True, Tiberius Caesar ruled much of the world through the Roman Empire. His puppet governor, Pontius Pilate was in charge in Judaea. And Herod’s family periodically ruled parts of ancient Palestine. But who was the King of the Jews?
When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, he did not resist. Peter rose to fight and Jesus told him to put away the sword. When they brought Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor asked him if he were the King of the Jews. Jesus wondered why Pilate wondered. Then he acknowledged that his kingdom is not of this world. This is why he did not fight back as they prepared to crucify him.
People in that day knew that Jesus was a carpenter who became an itinerant preacher. Much like the ancient Israelites who called out for a king, first century Jews were looking for someone to rule them. What kind of King is Jesus? Jesus is a Sovereign King. He doesn’t just rule one group of people but the whole universe. Jesus is the King of peace. His way is not the way of violence. Jesus is the King of truth. In a world where lying is the native language, Jesus tells us the truth about ourselves and the world. Jesus is the coming King. When he comes again, nobody will doubt his rule. We will not confuse him with any leader who has ever ruled on this earth.
At lunch this week with a friend who lost his young son, he described to me the biblical vision of heaven, where God gives all of his people crowns, and we spontaneously cast those crowns at the feet of Jesus. In this wide world there is only room for one King. His name is Jesus. He brooks no rivals. We all need a King. Thank God we have one. Jesus.
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Pray with me:
Sovereign Lord, we exalt your holy name today. Reign without rival in our hearts today. May your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth, in this country, in this state, in this city, in this house, in this room the same way it is in heaven. Make us servants of the one who came not to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many. King of peace, please bring peace here. King of truth, reveal the truth about ourselves and our world. King of love, let us love as you do today. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 7:3-4
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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