THOUGHTS FROM MATTHEW

October 29

Text: Matthew 27:37

And they put up above His head the charge against Him which read, "THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS."  (NASB)

The more they denied the truth, the more they declared the truth.  Jesus was the King of the Jews.  He was the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3.  He was the fulfillment of Moses’ statement in Deuteronomy 18:15.  The wise men (or magi) recognized Jesus was to be King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2).  Herod was so convinced that he thought it best to take no chances (Matthew 2:13).  Matthew said Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem was a fulfillment of prophecy (Matthew 21:1-5).  Peter said that God made the crucified Jesus Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). 

One of the questions Pilate asked Jesus was, “Are you King of the Jews?” (Matthew 27:11).  One of the accusations made against Jesus before Pilate was that Jesus was an opponent of Caesar because he claimed to be a king.  Now the disgraced, humiliated Jesus was dying on a cross with a sign over his head that said, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”  The sign irritated the Jews responsible for Jesus’ death (John 19:21), but the sign told the truth.  He did not live to be a physical king, but an eternal king.

Jesus came to be a servant (Matthew 20:25-28).  Never in physical life did he exist to be a physical king.  Only in resurrection did God make him king.  Though he is the king of the Jews, he is much more.  He is king of those anywhere who believe what God has done through him and dare to be servants.

The resurrected Jesus is now the Lord, is sitting at God’s right hand, and is in the process of conquering God’s enemies.  When all of God’s enemies have been conquered, he will subject himself to God so that God will resume His rightful place as the All in All (I Corinthians 15:24-28).

Suggestion for reflection: How do you show Jesus is your King, your Lord and Christ?  (Read Philippians 2:5-18.)

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