Tag: King of the Jews
The King wears a crown of thorns!
Scripture reading for November 17th: Daniel 7-9, Psalm 91, John 19
John 19:1-6 “Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged Him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head and arrayed Him in a purple robe. They came up to Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck Him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing Him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”
Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent and was afraid to do anything to Him. Pilate’s great sin was that he allowed the people’s voices to determine Jesus’ fate and not justice. In order to put Jesus out of his jurisdiction, Pilate had Him flogged and then presented back before the people. The soldiers had made a crown of thorns and placed it on Jesus’ head in mockery that He was “King of the Jews”. That crown of thorns used to torment and mock King Jesus was in reality the curse of sin and death being placed on Jesus by the very sinners He came to save! The race of Adam had fallen under the curse as Adam disobeyed God in the Garden. Now Jesus Christ, the second Adam, would bear the curse Himself to redeem all who would humbly listen to Him and repent!
Daniel 7:13-14 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came One like a Son of Man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is and everlasting dominion, which shall never pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
Prayer: Father God, Jesus Christ is my Refuge, my Fortress and my God and Lord Whom I trust. I am so thankful that He willingly bore the crown of thorns, taking the curse of sin and death for me and all who will listen to Him. Thank You for Your patience with lost mankind and Your desire that all peoples and nations would know You and serve You for eternity. Use me today to share this Good News!
Psalm 91:1-3 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My Refuge and my Fortress, my God, in Whom I trust.” For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.”
“Crucify the King!”
Scripture reading for November 17th: John 19
Key Scriptures: John 19:1-6 “Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged Him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head and arrayed Him in a purple robe. They came up to Him saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck Him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing Him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!””
Pilate had questioned Jesus earlier before flogging Him. He had asked Him if He was King of the Jews. Jesus told him that it was for this purpose He had come, to bear witness to the truth. He was a king but His kingdom was not of this world. Pilate wondered at these statements, but had Him flogged and turned them over to the soldiers who had witnessed the discussion and then mockingly arrayed Jesus in a purple robe, signifying royalty and twisted a crown from thorns, placing it on Jesus’ head. They struck Him repeatedly, and spit on Him as they mocked. This was after a cruel beating that disfigured Jesus almost to the point of death. Pilate then presented Jesus to the crowd, saying, “Behold the man!” Although Pilate found no guilt, the Jewish religious leaders responded with a cry to crucify Jesus. Facts did not matter because they wanted Jesus dead! Sounds like some trials going on today!
John 19:6-8 “Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law He ought to die because He has made Himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, as I read this account of the trial of Jesus, I am humbled and convicted by those who would mock Jesus and condemn Him to death, even though innocent. Forgive me for my own ignorance of Jesus Christ and the times I have not acted in faith but fear of man. Give me grace today to declare the truth of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords with holy boldness.
John 19:12, 14-25 “From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this Man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” . . . Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with Him, away with HIm, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” They answered, “We have no king but Caesar.””
“What is truth?”
Scripture reading for November 16th: John 18
Key Scriptures: John 18:33-37 “So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about Me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have You done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world–to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?””
Jesus was taken before Pontius Pilate because the Jews wanted Jesus to die and they did not have authority to execute anyone. They charged Jesus with insurrection–planning to set Himself up as King. So Pilate asked Jesus if He was the “King of the Jews?” Jesus asked him if this was Pilate’s own idea or others had said that. Pilate evaded answering Jesus but Jesus did answer him. He plainly stated that He was a king with a kingdom that was not of this world. He came to earth to bear witness to the truth and those who were in the truth would hear Jesus’ voice. To this Pilate responded, “What is truth?” proving that he was not himself of the truth. He could hear Jesus’ voice, but the truth of God’s Son, the King of Kings was hidden from his sight because of unbelief! How many others today have the same unbelief?
John 18:38-40 “After he had said this, he (Pilate) went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in Him. but You have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe that You are King of Kings, and my Lord. Your kingdom is not of this world and now I am also not of this world. You have told us not to fight, but to love one another in order to show the world that You are the King. Speak to me today directing me in Your ways to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ the King of kings.
Revelation 19:11,16 “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. The One sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. . . . On His robe and on His thigh He has a Name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
Jesus is the Truth!
Scripture reading for April 30th: John 18, Psalm 86, Proverbs 24
Key Scriptures: John 18:36-38 “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to Him, “So Your are a king?” Jesus answered, “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. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?””
One of the charges against Jesus was the charge that He was proclaiming Himself king over the Jews. The Jews sent Him to Pilate accusing Jesus of sedition. As Pilate questioned Jesus, he asked him directly if He was indeed ‘King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered in a wise manner, stating that Pilate and others had said so. But then He stated that He had come into the world to bear witness to the truth. He stated that all who listened to His voice is of the truth. This brought Pilate to the pivotal question: “What is truth?”
Faith Confession: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Truth and is not only King of the Jews, but King of all Kings. Jesus is the Truth!
Psalm 86:10-11 “For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth.”
Rejoicing in Jesus our Shepherd!
Scripture reading for October 3rd: Micah 3-7
Key Scriptures: Micah 5:2, 4-5 “”But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me One who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. . . . He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the Name of the Lord His God. And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth and He will be their Peace.”
Micah was given prophetic insight concerning the coming ruler of Israel who would be born in the town of Bethlehem (House of Bread). This information came over 700 years before the special person would be born. In fact, this “Ruler” would be a shepherd to His people, bringing security and provision and most importantly, peace! This “Ruler” would indeed be famous in the entire earth!
Rejoicing in prophetic fulfillment: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the One who has be born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. . . . “In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a Ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.'” (Matthew 2:1-2, 5-6)
“It is Finished!”
Scripture reading for May 1st: John 19
After being severely flogged and crowned by the soldiers with a crown of thorns, Jesus was made to carry His cross until He could no longer. He was mocked as the “King of the Jews”! Jesus was crucified on Passover morning at 9:00, just as the Passover lambs were being sacrificed. He was the One John the Baptist had identified prophetically as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
Over His cross, Pilate had the soldiers fasten this notice: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (John 19:19) The religious leaders pleaded with Pilate to remove the notice, but he refused! Around the cross, the soldiers gambled for His garments that had been removed. This fulfilled Scripture written about a thousand years earlier by King David. (Psalm 22:18)
Also near the cross was His mother Mary and the two other Mary’s. “When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved (John) standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:25-27) Even in agony and near death, Jesus was thoughtful of others and showed His love!
“Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished!” With that He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” (John 19:28-30) Jesus’ last cry was a shout of triumph! Everything necessary for the salvation of mankind was complete!
“My Kingdom is not of this world!”
Scripture reading for April 30th: John 18
After Jesus and the disciples had prayed all night, before sunrise Judas Iscariot led a band of soldiers and religious officials to the Garden of Gethsemane to arrest Jesus. Jesus was expecting them and asked them who they wanted. When they replied “Jesus of Nazareth”–Jesus answered, “I am He.” (John 18:4-6) The power of Jesus’ words caused this group to fall to the ground! Jesus then commanded them to let the rest go and they obeyed. Peter tried to defend Jesus by using his sword, but Jesus rebuked him: “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?” (John 18:11) Jesus was in control and obeying the plan of the Father!
As Jesus was led before the Jewish officials of the synagogue, they could find nothing to charge Him with. He was then taken before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate’s first question to the Jews was what do you charge Him with? They had no answer. Pilate’s first question to Jesus was “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. “It was Your people and Your chief priests who handed You over to me. What is it that 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 Jews. But now My kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king.” (John 18:33-37)
Jesus publicly admitted that He was a king with a kingdom that was not of this world. His kingdom would rule forever and He would never cease to be King! Have you acknowledged Jesus as King?
Jesus, King of the Jews!
Scripture reading for February 6th: Matthew 27
“When they had crucified Him, they divided up His clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. Above His head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, KING OF THE JEWS.” (Matthew 27:35-37) The Roman soldiers did their job with efficiency and part of their pay was the clothes of their crucified victims. They gambled over these to see which one would receive the bounty! In doing this, they fulfilled an ancient prophesy from a thousand years earlier! (Psalm 22:18) The sign they had placed at Pilate’s orders over the Jewish religious authorities objections proclaimed the eternal truth of who Jesus really was: KING OF THE JEWS!
“In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked Him. “He saved other,” they said, “but He can’t save Himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue Him now if He wants Him, for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” (Matthew 27:41-43) The religious leaders mocked Jesus’ faith in God and His relationship as “Son of God” and His claim as “King of Israel”. Their unbelief lead to pride and the murder of the Son of God.
After Jesus gave up His Spirit to God, a great earthquake shook the land, splitting the curtain on the temple from top to bottom. Tombs were opened and holy people were raised to life, appearing to many in Jerusalem. This event shook the earth and the people in Jerusalem! The centurion and soldiers guarding Jesus were terrified and proclaimed, “Surely He was the Son of God.” Will you worship Him when He comes again, or be found mocking?
Jesus, King of the Jews!
Scripture reading for January 2nd: Matthew 2
Matthew records the visit of the Magi (wise men) from the East. They probably came from the area of the Middle East that we now know as Iran or Iraq. These men had left their country and were following a star that appeared to them and was leading them. They somehow knew that the child they were seeking was “King of the Jews”. (Matthew 2:1)
When they reached Jerusalem, they went to see King Herod and inquire about where to look. This brought about a great disturbance in King Herod and in the city of Jerusalem! Calling together the elders of the Jews, Herod asked them what they knew about the Christ’s birthplace. They quoted the prophet Micah 5:2, stating that Bethlehem would be the city of Judah where the ruler would come. Herod told this to the wise men and asked them to report back when they found this King.
The star took them about five miles away to Bethlehem. When the saw the child Jesus, joy overwhelmed them! They were so moved that they bowed down and worshiped Him. They were not ashamed to show their reverence and to honor this King of the Jews! They even opened their treasures and laid gold, frankincense and myrrh at His feet. God warned them in a dream to go home another way.
Their response is a model for all seekers of King Jesus. They were willing to leave behind their old life and follow God’s leading to where He was. They sought those who knew Scripture and listened. When they found Jesus, they opened their hearts and treasures and worshiped Him! When they found Him, they went home a new way! Where your treasure is, there your heart will be as well! (Matthew 6:21)
Famous Last Words!
Scripture reading for May 31st: John 19:23-42
It is said that a man’s last words as he leaves this world have meaning. They reveal something about the heart of the person and leave something for those left to remember him by. Jesus, as He hung on the cross, spoke some last words that have been contemplated by those who followed Him.
Around the cross, soldiers gambled for His seamless robe. They cast lots to see who would get this robe. It would be a little extra payment for their gruesome job. This fulfilled Scripture written by David in Psalm 22:18. Over the cross was a sign written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek, “The King of the Jews”. This was written by Pilate–a designation He refused to change even when requested by the Jews. This was the setting as Jesus suffered.
“Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From this time on, this disciple took her into his house.” “ (John 19:25-27) Jesus, in His agony, took note of His mother. He placed her in the care of His beloved disciple. This was John, who wrote this account! We have an eye-witness account that is not recorded any where else. What love and compassion we behold in Christ!
“Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it and put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” (John 19:28-30) John records these last words of Jesus.
Psalm 69:21 stated that they would give vinegar for the thirst. This prophesy was fulfilled here. I believe that Jesus was also thirsty for His Father’s house! (Psalm 42:2) His work was done, fulfilling all Scripture and now He wanted the glory of heaven and fellowship with the Father! “It is finished” simply states “Paid in full”! He then yielded His spirit to God!