Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king…” (John 18:37)
It was written (much to the chagrin of the Sanhedrin) upon a sign and hung over Jesus’ head at the top of his cross. It said, “This is the King of the Jews.” Even though it was the very thing that got the Lord there to Golgotha, they still didn’t like it penned above this wayward carpenter’s head. He wasn’t their king!
The Pharisees and Sadducees had tried other ways to get Pilate to hear their pleas and put this guy out of their misery. They finally found a way by allowing Him to bear the moniker of “King.” That put Pilate in a bad place because according to Roman law, there was no king but Caesar. To not respond might cost Pilate his job. These mean scribes had painted the Pontius into a corner – one he could not escape except to give into their wishes.
One of my favorite hymns, “Beautiful Savior,” contains the image: “…king of creation…” This Sunday we will sing, “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” a hymn appropriate for the final Sunday of the Church Year. The cross that hangs above the altar at Our Saviour Lutheran Church is NOT a crucifix but rather a “Christus Rex.” Jesus is decked out in all his finery, in all his priestly garb, signifying not a dying king but one who now was alive and ministering to all who come to worship him. If you look closely the Lord’s hands are outward and alongside the crossbeam of the cross but they are no longer bound there by ropes and nails. He is set free, and, as I have often said to the children who gather for their little sermon—that Jesus is holding out his arms and is about to reach down and scoop them all up in his arms!
As the first season of the church year quickly approaches (Advent), take a moment to think, pray, and give thanks that the Son of God – the Savior of the Nations – the King of all glory, seen and unseen – did suffer, he did die, but he was raised to life by his father to proclaim his priestly and compassionate victory over all things, even death! In this we have hope. In this we should live each day with boldness and no fear. God is alive, and like the children, he is ready to reach down and scoop all of us into his loving arms!
Christ is the King. Alleluia! Celebrate and praise God!
And remember that God loves you and so do we!
Pastor Jim