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Jesus is Lord: King of the Jews Part II

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Western Oklahoma Presbyterian Examiner

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King of the Jews
Part II
There is another occasion where Jesus is named King of the Jews, but generally gets overlooked in the context of his Lordship due to the mocking and flogging and general focus on pain and suffering attached to these moments. Really, these are two separate occasions that serve to substantiate the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The first is where Jesus informs Pilate that he would have no authority over him if it had not been given to him from his Father. Jesus asserts his Lordship while not asserting the privileges attached to it—to be relieved of such barbaric treatment. In this assertion, Jesus relieves the Roman governor of having the full weight of this decision on his shoulders. Jesus is Lord and our Lord willingly surrendered unto death. Essentially, he told Pilate to do what you must do.
The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."    When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"
Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."    From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."   John 19:7-12 NIV
The second occasion involves Pilate ordering a sign prepared and attached to the cross. At first glance, this would seem to be far from the hand-washing that we typically associate with Pilate and more towards joining in the mockery. On the contrary, this is more hand-washing. Pilate recognized that this was no ordinary man. Did he believe he was the Son of God? Perhaps not. Did he believe he was something more than the criminal that the Jewish hierarchy portrayed him as? Likely. Did he believe him truly to be a king? I don’t think we will ever know, but he ordered the King of the Jews sign fastened to the cross and it angered or at least disturbed the Jewish leaders.
Perhaps more than anything, Pilate showed more respect for Jesus that he did for his accusers. In these encounters among the Jewish leaders, local rules, and Roman governor, Pilate seems annoyed that such a matter must come to him. Perhaps posting the sign in multiple languages was Pilate’s declaration that as far as he was concerned, this man was The King of the Jews. Perhaps in this subtle, political way, Pilate acknowledged that Jesus was Lord without understanding all that those words entailed. In any case, there was no more discussion of the matter.
Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."
 Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."   John 19:19-22 NIV
 

 

This survey explores and confirms that this is a very viable thread throughout the gospels, epistles, and eschatology of the New Testament. Decide for yourself if you agree with Dr. Rustenhaven and myself, that the message of the New Testament is JESUS IS LORD!
 

 
 


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What do you call a guy with degrees in Political Science and Biblical Studies? What do you call someone that served as a Marine Officer for over 20 years and now pastors a church?  What do you call someone with this unique perspective of the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God?
Most folks just call me Tom.
 
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, Western Oklahoma Presbyterian Examiner

Tom Spence pastors the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat, Oklahoma. He is a retired Marine Corps officer who served worldwide. With degrees in political science and biblical studies, Tom provides unique insights into this mixture of daily struggles, recurring blessings, constant...

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