PODCAST
Who Is King?
December 3rd, 2016
John 18:28-38
Pilate didn’t want to decide about Jesus. Why were these pesky Judeans bringing this man to him anyway? Was this a trap? “If he were not a criminal . . . we would not have handed him over to you,” they said (v. 30). But what were the charges? Roman law demanded charges. Pilate already suspected what the charge would be: “‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ ‘Is that your own idea,’ Jesus asked, ‘or did others talk to you about me?’” (vv. 33-34). The charge of insurrection, if proven, would lead inevitably to a cross.
“My kingdom is not of this world,” was Jesus’ reply (v. 36). You cannot find it on a map. Jesus’ kingdom is in the hearts of those who call Him “Lord.” A king rules where he is acknowledged, where his law is obeyed and his sovereignty acclaimed. Jesus is a king, whether Pilate, Caesar, the Jewish leaders or any other authority acknowledges it.
“I find no basis for a charge against him,” Pilate told the leaders (v. 38). Ultimately, he did have to decide, and so do we all. Not just “Is Jesus a king?” but “Is Jesus your King?”
Author: Duane Brush
