Today’s Reading: Mark 15:1-11, Luke 23:1-19, John 18:28-40

WHO IS THE KING?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a king is a “male monarch of a major territorial unit, especially one whose position is hereditary and who rules for life; or a paramount chief” (https://www.merriam-webster.com). If the word king is capitalized, it is by definition God or Christ. This dictionary actually offers 7 different definitions including the playing card, the chess piece, the crowned checker, or a kind of salmon.

Defining who had the title King of the Jews was the argument surrounding the trial of Jesus Christ. Pilate asked Jesus if he was King of the Jews, and Jesus answered him with confidence.

“My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
Pilate said, “So, you are a king?”
Jesus responded, “You say I am king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
“What is truth?” Pilate asked. – John 18:36-38a

WHAT IS TRUTH?

What a profound question for Pilate to ask. It seems to reveal the inner struggle of this Roman leader. He had power and authority; he was surrounded by servants and soldiers. Yet Pilate seemed to know he had not found the answer to the question — What is truth?

When he found out that Jesus was a Galilean, he seemed relieved to pass Jesus on to Herod Antipas. After all, Herod was in Jerusalem at the time. Let him solve the question of whether or not Jesus was the King of the Jews.

Herod was more than happy for the opportunity to meet this Jesus he had heard so much about. It had been his hope for a while to see Jesus perform a miracle. Rather than seeing Jesus as the truth, Herod saw him as a source of entertainment. But when he couldn’t get Jesus to perform for him and play his game, he lost his patience and found a new way to have some fun.

He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations. Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. (Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.) – Luke 23:9-12

These two earthly leaders showed no respect for the true King. They took the authority and power that men had given them and used it against the only one who had the right to sit on a throne. Jesus did not resist or argue, because he had already decided he was willing to pay the penalty for our sins.

He was oppressed and treated harshly,
yet he never said a word.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,
he did not open his mouth. – Isaiah 53:7

This morning I asked myself the same question Pilate asked — What is truth? If I am being honest with myself, have I capitalized Jesus in my life? I can say Jesus is the King of my life, but do my actions reflect my submission. Am I truly letting go of control and allowing King Jesus to be in charge? I can claim Him as Lord of my life, but is His power or authority evidenced in the decisions I will make today?

I want God’s Kingship to be evidenced not only in my words but in my actions. I want to look back and see where He has brought me from and from what He has rescued me. He gets to be in charge, He gets all the authority, and it is to Him that I bow in reverence this morning as I enjoy my morning coffee with my King and my Lord!

Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”

Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” – Luke 23:13-18