By Jim Mettenbrink
That Jesus’ disciples misunderstood the nature of God’s kingdom is evident when they asked, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). To convince Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea to prosecute Jesus, the Jews hierarchy accused Jesus of “…perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King” (Luke 23:2). Answering Pilate’s question, Jesus said He was a king Pilate found Jesus not guilty (Lk 23:3-4; John 18:37-38). Currying favor with the Jews, Pilate allowed Jesus to be crucified.
However, Pilate had a sign put on the cross above Jesus’ head to insult the Jews – “Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews” (Jn 19:19). And it was written in Greek, Latin, and to ensure everyone could read it (Jn 19:20). The sign’s significance: First, Nazareth was a town of insignificance in the first century Judea. Second, the Jewish leadership lied accusing Jesus of essentially fomenting insurrection against the Romans. But unwittingly they spoke the truth that Jesus is a King. The insult was when Pilate said He was the Jews’ king. Pilate was indicating that the Jews were insignificant and that he was executing the Jewish High Priest’s insignificant king that they demanded to be prosecuted. And the chief priests were insulted (Jn 19:21-22)! But why didn’t Pilate acknowledge Jesus as a king?
Kings have armies. Jesus did not. Kings and their generals conquer their enemies and set up or expand their kingdoms. First, they glorified themselves with parades, riding the finest of horses, proclaiming victory, having killed or subdued the enemy, and taking the land, thereby establishing the new kingdom’s territory. However, Jesus had already had his victory parade before His trial. God does things differently than sinful and pride-filled mankind – “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” (Isaiah 55:8). How was Jesus being enthroned as king different than that of mankind?
Jesus began with His victory parade, before conquering the enemy. On what is commonly called Palm Sunday, Jesus rode alone into Jerusalem on a donkey’s foal, with the “great multitude” shouting, “‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!” (John 12:12-13). The masses recognized Him as their king. Jesus secured the victory over Satan and death, the archenemies of each of us when He died on the cross and rose from the grave. Regarding this victory, the apostle Paul wrote “Death is swallowed up in victory” and “…thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54, 57). Armies kill enemies to win the war. Unlike human leaders, Jesus died to secure our victory over death and defeat Satan. Jesus died to give us life – eternally. So Jesus is the King, where is His kingdom?