“Are you the King of the Jews?” (Luke 23:3, ESV)

All four Gospels relate Pilate’s question to Jesus in almost identical language, but the Gospel of John gives us a deeper insight into their conversation.

“Jesus answered, ‘Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?’ Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?’ Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.‘ Then Pilate said to him, 'So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this purpose, I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world — to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.‘” (John 18:34-37)

When we contemplate Jesus as our King, I fear we are greatly influenced by the perspective of our earthly royalty. Today’s earthly kings and princes are figureheads at best. We admire the pomp and pageantry of their coronation ceremonies, and we are amused by their dramas as they play out in the media. Couple that with how King Jesus entered Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

His first coming was as the Lamb of God, the sacrifice for the sins of man, and as a result, we deem Him to be less than a King. That is not how He is portrayed in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul exalted Him in his letter to Timothy. “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17) He closed the letter by exhorting Timothy “To keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time — he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.” (6:14-15)

Our obedience is tied to the promise of the King’s return. In John’s Revelation of the return of King Jesus, we read this: “They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14) “On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Revelation 19:16)

Maybe it’s because we no longer teach history that we have such disdain for the concept of absolute sovereignty. Our concept of “liberty” has tilted in favor of “my way” instead of the “High Way” of God’s only Son. Our King came once in meekness and humility, but Scripture tells us He is coming again to rule and to reign. Our response should be worship and obedience.

“All hail King Jesus, All hail the Lord of Heaven and Earth, All hail King Jesus, All hail the Savior of the world.” (“All Hail King Jesus,” Jeremy Riddle)

What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis