It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. (Mark 15:25–26 NIV)
Jesus is King of the Jews
The sign hung above Jesus’ head as a mocking insult both to him and to the Jewish people. It hung there, nailed to the wood as if to say-
“You wanted a king to come and save you from the overwhelming power of Rome?”
Here he is, crushed.
“You were hoping this man might be your promised rescuer, leading you out from under the thumb of Caesar?”
Here he is, broken.
“Well, Israel, here is your king; here is your rescuer-bloodied, naked, and at the point of death.”
Here he is, blood spilled out.
“Your God has not forgotten you; not at all! Even your God is openly mocking you!”
Look at him! Crucified. Dead. Soon to be forgotten.
Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah
The nation of Israel had long been waiting for the promised Messiah who would come and restore their glory. They longed for a king in the line of David who would arrive on the scene with power and strength —
a rebellion leader who would set Israel free from the oppression of the Roman Empire,
a political leader who would establish God’s law and the rule of law for all people, in all places, at all times, and
a God-ordained warrior would lift up the nation of Israel and God’s kingdom on earth!
Jesus, to the disappointment and surprise of most, was not this kind of Messiah.
Jesus did not come in strength and power, and he didn’t come only to the people of Israel. He did not come as David, who killed his tens of thousands (1 Samual 18:7). Instead, Jesus came bearing no sword and commending outsiders for their great faith. He sought no positions of political authority and showed to all who were paying attention that no one-Samaritan or Roman, woman or child, diseased or demon-possessed, lowly or weak-was beyond the reach of God’s gracious reach.
And if that’s not enough of a twist, here’s another-and it’s a big one. These early Christians, especially the apostle Paul, claimed this new world that was opened by Jesus, the Jewish messiah, was equally open to everyone, Jew or Gentile. (Pete Enns)
Jesus models the culture of God’s kingdom
As Messiah and King, Jesus models the culture of God’s kingdom. As citizens of the kingdom — made in the image and likeness of God, marred though it may be — we are to follow the King’s lead.
What kind of King was Jesus? What example did he set for those who would live in his kingdom? To get started, Jesus:
Humbled himself
Emptied himself
Became a servant
Was obedient, even to death
Forgave the unforgivable
Touched the untouchable
Brought down the powerful
Lifted up the vulnerable
Upended systems of human worth based on political power, monetary wealth, military strength, and ethnic superiority
Extended the kingdom of God to all people, even to the very ends of the earth
Jesus showed us that, in the kingdom, we have the power to turn away from the serpent and walk again with the Heavenly Father.
In the kingdom, we can live again in shalom with God and neighbor. In the kingdom, we can be restored daily into the image of God. In the kingdom, though the world around us is not yet as it should be or as it was created to be, we can live in the hope that someday all will once again be made right.
The turning point in the Gospels was when Jesus asked a question, “Who do you say that I am?” and received a certain answer: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” The turning point in every person’s life is what answer we give to Jesus’ question. (Leonard Sweet)
The sign hung above Jesus’ head as a mocking tribute to a defeated Messiah. None could have imagined, at that moment, anything resembling victory sprouting from the soil of crucifixion. What are the words on the sign that hangs on your heart? Who, for you, is this Jesus nailed to the cross?
References:
Pete Enns, Bible Tells Me So, Kindle 2689.
Leonard Sweet, So Beautiful, Kindle 2370.