Articles
King of Kings - John 19
King of Kings - John 19
“As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, "If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar."” (John 19:12)
“So they cried out, "Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!" Pilate *said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?"” The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." “ (John 19:15)
This is amazing. The Jewish people had a history of rebellion AGAINST Caesar and Roman rule! Hundreds of years worth of such history. Why declare their allegiance to Caesar NOW? They wanted to be rid of Jesus! His teaching undercut their authority and leadership. Read again Matt. 23. Such a public reproof of these leaders.
Their problem was a rather simple but powerful one: they had no authority to actually execute capital punishment. While such WAS done as mob violence as in the case of Stephen in Acts 7, Jesus presented a different situation as they had delivered him up to Roman authority.
What was his crime against Rome? Pilate, after interrogation, said several times “I find no guilt in him”. This wasn’t a declaration of ‘sinlessness’, but of no guilt as far as Roman law is concerned. BUT, declaring himself King, was here cast as treason and rebellion against Caesar.
Jesus informed Pilate that His kingdom was not of this world – was not a political threat against Rome. Yet, this became the point of contention and the charge upon which Jesus was crucified.
For us, consider the situation. Crucified. Dead. BUT, then He was declared with power to be the Son of God. By His resurrection He was made both Lord and Christ. With the resurrection He was given all authority in Heaven and upon Earth. He was glorified, ascended unto the Right hand of the Father, and is now King of Kings.
While we have lots emotional reactions to such crucifixion of Jesus, let us rejoice that He willing gave himself to such. Caesar is gone. Jewish authorities are gone. Jesus is ALIVE.
Is He YOUR KING?
Hugh DeLong
