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I Believe in Jesus Christ

Jesus of Nazareth, the King

Read John 19:17–24

About elevn hundred years before the Crucifixion, Israel had rejected God’s rule through His prophets and asked for a king “such as all the other nations have” (1 Samuel 8:5). After many years of failed kingdoms and harsh foreign rule, God has provided a true and mighty King, but the response of the religious leaders was “we have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15).

Whether it was to mock or anger the Jewish authorities or because Pilate saw something in Jesus they missed, this Roman governor directed a sign to be fastened to the cross proclaiming this was Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.

That sign spoke to an international audience in three languages. Pilate would not alter the statement as requested. Some wanted the sign to indicate the one being crucified made claims of kingship that were not accepted by anyone.

No matter how it happened, the official proclamation of the ruling government was that this was a king who was placed in public view. His cross was His throne and His crown was of thorns. We bow before Jesus, His cross, and the throne of grace because He is King.

Challenge for Today: Show Jesus that He is the King of your life by worshipping Him in sincerity.