Jesus is King

Jesus is King. Jesus did not approach Pilate with bargains to obtain His release. His release was not an option; it would not fulfill His purpose.

33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
John 18:33-37, NKJV

Jesus is King

In the passage shown above we read the amazing account of the conversation between Jesus and Pilate, just before Christ's crucifixion. How did Jesus answer Pilate's question?

You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.

Jesus did not approach Pilate with bargains to obtain His release. His release was not an option; it would not fulfill His purpose. Though the Jews were expecting the Messiah to set up an earthly kingdom, Jesus explained, My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.

Do we wonder at the rejection of Christ all around us? Salvation is offered--eternal salvation--free for the taking! Yet, most turn away from the Truth, turn away from Christ, and seek their own salvation their own way. This should not surprise us. Look at the reaction of the religious people who heard the words of Jesus Christ and saw the miracles He performed. Pilate said, Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”

What had He done? He was perfect! That very perfection was an affront to the religious leaders who sought glory for themselves. Jesus only gave glory to God and true salvation to the people, young and old, rich and poor.

Why then should we marvel at the reaction of people around us? Remember what Christ told the disciples in Luke 10:16: He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.

Are You a King? Yes, for the true believer, Jesus is King, the Lord of Glory who offered up His life for our salvation. What, then, is our true mission? Do those things which bring glory to our King and advance His kingdom on this earth. Everything we do, say, and think should be focused on that mission.

It is not an easy task, we are so quick to stumble. Go to Christ; He not only saves us, He forgives us, and strengthens us so that we may more faithfully serve Him.

Jesus is King

Missionary Service