Jesus King of the Jews
Devotions on John 19:16b-22
Monday–Jesus King of the Jews
“So they took Jesus” (John 19:16b)
Pushing and shoving, the Jewish authorities and the crowd force Jesus to walk what we now call the Via De La Rosa. Foolishly they convince themselves that they have taken an itinerant preacher from Galilee and transformed him into a tortured, convicted criminal and will soon make him a forgotten memory. Jesus has not changed, though. Battered and bruised, he still is the loving God incarnate. Nothing can or will change that truth. In reality, the Jewish authorities and crowds have no power over him.
In similar fashion we sometimes push and shove Jesus, trying to make him into what we want him to be, rather than allow him to be who he truly is. We seek to push him along a path of our own devising, instead of following him along the path on which Jesus leads us. We glory in our power, but our hopes and dreams remain unfulfilled. It is only when we stop forcing our “prisoner” to do our will and humbly kneel before our Lord and King that we are able to experience the abundant life for which we long.
Lord, forgive us when we attempt to force our will upon you. Grant us the ability to yield to your guidance and will. Amen.
Tuesday–Jesus King of the Jews
“Carrying the cross by himself” (John 19:17a).
We have all been alone in a crowd. Sometimes this is a rather benign situation. We haven’t made the effort to reach out to anyone (being the shy and bashful people that we are) and no one has made an effort to seek us out, either. Our separation could also be caused by rejection; the group shuns us because of something we have done or because of who we are. Such a loneliness is painful to endure. We often want to escape to a less hostile environment.
Jesus carried his cross alone. The crowd rejected him and his disciples and followers were afraid to be near him. Jesus endured the torture, mocking, rejection and loneliness, however. He did not return the hate, but rather transformed it by his love.
Lord, thank you. Your steadfast love overwhelms us. Amen.
Wednesday–Jesus King of the Jews
“He went out to what is called The Place of the Skull” (John 19:17b).
There are places we do not want to be. Sometimes the sites are dangerous, like hazardous waste dumps, radioactive areas, snake pits and haunted houses. There are situations in which we find ourselves that we don’t want to be, because they are threatening or uncomfortable. These situations might include losing our jobs, being seriously sick or enduring deteriorating relationships. We do our best to avoid them, but there are times ….
Jesus was driven to a place called The Skull. Some people think that the hill received that name because it looked like a human skull. It is more likely named that because there were human skulls laying around the residue from past crucifixions. The Skull was a place of suffering, cruelty and death. As terrible a place as The Skull was, Jesus allowed himself to be led there.
Jesus did not shy away from The Skull, nor does he shy away from our personal “Skulls.” He has promised never to forsake us and Jesus is true to his promise. Together we endure the horrific events of life and emerge on the other side to new life.
Thank you, Lord, for the promise of your presence and of new life. Amen.
Thursday–Jesus King of the Jews
“The crucified him” (John 19:18).
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes this about Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
7 but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11)
Out of the greatest evil has come the greatest good.
Jesus, we bow our knees to you because of your humble obedience and death on the cross. Amen.
Friday–Jesus King of the Jews
“It read ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews’” (John 19:19).
Above the head of the convicted and dying man, at a crucifixion, was a notice of the crime for which he was being executed. Jesus was on the cross because he was King of the Jews.
The early Christians, who first heard this story and all those who followed them and have read the story of Jesus’ crucifixion, cannot but marvel at the contrast. Kings sit on thrones, live in palaces, surround themselves with riches and enforce their will by power. King Jesus’ throne is a cross. It was once said that he had no place to lay his head (Matthew 8:20). Jesus surrounded himself with people who were sick, hungry, demon possessed and disenfranchised. Both kings call out to be followed. One is a command and the other an invitation.
Throughout the centuries, Christians have attempted to follow both kings. While mouthing the Apostles’ Creed we force our will upon others. We pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” and neglect to provide the daily bread of others. One of our goals has been to live the affluent life of the world and the abundant life of a follower of Jesus. In doing so, we have discover the truth of Jesus’ words, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).
As followers of Jesus, we live in his kingdom. There is no other way. We look at the cross and are frightened. At the same time, we know that resurrection is on the other side of the tomb and, that following Jesus the King transforms, lives and changes the world.
We proclaim you Lord and King. You are the one we choose to follow. Empower us to be your loyal subjects and dedicated servants. Amen.
Saturday–Jesus King of the Jews
“Many of the Jews read the inscription” (John 19:20).
The Skull was a public place. The Romans wanted people to see what happened to anyone who defied Rome. The Jewish people, as they went in and out of the City of Jerusalem, passed by Jesus’ cross and read the inscription, “King of the Jews.” Their interpretations of those words and their reactions varied.
Most read the sign and thought to themselves that another self-proclaimed but failed messiah was being eliminated by Rome. Some may have thought that Jesus had received his comeuppance. Others had seen too many tortured men hanging from crosses to care.
From a distance, Jesus disciples and followers read the inscription. They grieved deeply over Jesus. They struggled with the hope that they had felt when they had followed Jesus, and they were confused by Jesus’ words that he would live again.
People’s reactions to Jesus have always differed. Paul writes to the Corinthians, “ but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). We, who identify ourselves as followers of Jesus, rejoice that we have been able to respond to God’s grace in faith. At the same time, we love and serve those whose opinions of Jesus differ from ours.
Lord, empower us so that our witness goes beyond arguments and is expressed in words and actions of love. Amen.
Sunday–Jesus King of the Jews
“Pilate answered, “I have written what I have written” (John 19:22).
Pilate was very purposeful in his actions. He sought to intimidate. He wanted everyone who saw Jesus hanging on the cross to understand that crucifixion was what happened to anyone who opposed Rome.
For followers of Jesus, Pilate’s inscription is inspiring. We behold the overwhelming depth of God’s love and, in that love, we see a king to follow. In the cross, we see ourselves being reconciled with God and discovering a new and meaningful purpose to our lives. We gather at the foot of the cross with people around the globe and across the ages, who proclaim Jesus as our king. Together we become instruments of the Holy Spirit; conduits of God’s love and grace. The work of the cross continues in us.
Flow through us, Holy Spirit, and use us. Amen.