The King of the Jews
On this last day of March, and in the time of waiting between Christ’s death and resurrection, I’m drawn to the allusions to Jesus as “The King of the Jews” during his trial, beating, and crucifixion. At the time, this title was used as an accusation by the Jewish leaders against him to make him seem to be a danger to the Roman government it was then used in mockery which culminated in this inscription being nailed above his head on the cross in three languages. In the midst of his mistreatment they even put a crown of thorns on his head and a purple robe on his shoulders. All this time the title “The King of the Jews” was used to cause harm to Jesus, but it was unknowingly describing exactly who Jesus was: The King.
The Roman practice of crucifixion is said to be one of the most cruel, painful, and humiliating ways to die. The condemned person carried the cross-bar to the place of their death with a member of the execution squad going ahead of him with a sign telling their crime. When they were nailed to that cross-bar and raised up, their feet were nailed to a vertical pole and the sign attached to the cross above their head. This is what the gospels record in describing Jesus’ death.
So as I wait to celebrate the resurrection tomorrow, I am reading about this in a theological dictionary, which explains many aspects of the significance of the Cross.[i] The one that I am drawn to today comes from Colossians 2:14 where Paul says that through faith in Christ we are forgiven because the record of our sin was also nailed to the Cross. The record of my debt hangs there next to the description of who he is: The King. Both have been nailed to that Cross where the King of Kings and Lord of Lords paid the debt for me and for all who put their trust in him. Together let us marvel anew at his mercy and love! And not only that – tomorrow’s coming!
[i] Evangelical Dictionary of Theology – Elwell, 287-288.