Title: Jesus the King (Matthew 27:11-26)
[Matthew 27:11-26]
There were many kings in the world. Most kings accomplished their purpose by sacrificing their people. But Jesus, the Prince of Peace, sacrificed himself to save his people. However, Jesus in the text is now being judged in Pilate's court due to the criticism of the religious leaders. As we can see from the first chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, the appearance of the King Jesus to this earth did not match the standards of the world. When he entered Jerusalem, he had a humble appearance on a donkey. And after being tried by the governor of Pilate, his appearance on the cross was different from that of the king.
There is an article comparing King Alexander, who is given the title of greatness in the world, and Jesus, the King of kings. “Alexander was born in a royal palace and Jesus was born in a stable. Alexander was born a prince and Jesus was born a carpenter's son. Alexander died from prince to noble king, and Jesus died on the cross as a mocked king. Alexander's life looks like a great success, and Jesus' life looks like a failure. Alexander shed hundreds of thousands of blood for his own possessions, and Jesus shed his own blood for all mankind. Alexander died in Babylon of glory and Jesus died on Calvary of shame. Alexander conquered all the palaces, and Jesus conquered death. Alexander enslaved men and Jesus set them free. Alexander made history, Jesus changed history”.
When Jesus, the King of kings, was born, he had to be born in the lowest and most humble stables because there was no room. At that time, the Jews expected a king like David to come, and Jesus was not the king they thought. They expected a king to rule the world for the Jews. The Jews saw the world only from their own point of view. They accused Jesus of betraying their expectations and threatening the religious leaders. Jesus answered Pilate's question about whether he was the true King of the Jews, saying, "You are right." Let's take a look at some things to remember through Jesus, who became the true King.
First, Jesus is the King who came for the will of God.
Jesus came as the savior and spiritual leader of the Jews. He saved His people from their sins and came as the body of the Old Testament Word and the hope of the Jews. The Bible says that the name of Jesus is above every name, and before him all kneel in heaven and on earth. However, he suffered an unfair death purely because of God's will. Though innocent, he was tried before Pilate for God's purpose and for God's pleasure.
Second, Jesus is the King who came for sinners.
The king rules over the people and is respected. But Jesus, who became a prisoner in the name of King of the Jews, showed that he came to heaven for sinners. He was judged proudly before Pilate for us. He was silently there to save those who ignorantly cried out to be crucified. For those of us who are selfish and foolish, compromising with the world, Jesus came as King. Jesus showed strong and fierce love. This is the true love of the King of all Kings, the King of Peace. In Jesus standing before Pilate's court, we see God's infinite love for us. Jesus, who came for sinners, is the King of true love.
Third, Jesus is the King who came to save the whole world.
Jesus first came as a new covenant for the atonement of the Jews. And they were rejected by them, and they stood before the governor of Pilate. However, Jesus spread the new covenant of atonement throughout the world by dying on the cross. He has become a king for Jews, Greeks, Romans, and all of us in the 21st century. “After these things I saw a great multitude, from every nation, kindred, people, and tongue, that no one could count, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white, with palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9). Jesus is our King, but he is also my King. As disciples of Jesus, we will have to overcome hardships like the Lord and fulfill the role of a royal priesthood. May we become loyal servants in our lives to Jesus, who was willing to stand before the governor of Pilate to fulfill God's will, to the King who came to save sinners, and to Jesus who is worthy of being exalted in the whole world and among the nations. bless you with