Who is Your King?

 N.T.#297 "Who is Your King?"

May 3, 2024

Matthew 27

LET IT GLOW

Peter had boasted that he was willing to die for Jesus. ((26:35) Yet, when it came time to put his words into action, Peter did not. He denied having known the Messiah. Previously, we studied about the 3 Jewish trials before Annas, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin council. It was their aim and purpose for those trials to put Jesus to death. Then came morning. (verse 1) Jesus was bound and sent to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.

The fourth trail was civil. Pontius Pilate was usually residing in Caesarea, on the Mediterranean Sea, but he was in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival of the Jews just in case there was any trouble. Pilate had the power of execution so the Jewish leaders sought to convince him to put Jesus to death.

 Luke 23, John 18, and Mark 15 give us more detail of the trial. 

• The Jewish leaders told Pilate Jesus had been leading the Jews astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming He is the Messiah, a King. (Luke 23: 1-2)
• Jesus' accusers didn't go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn't have been allowed to celebrate the Passover. So Pilate went out to them, the elders and Jewish leaders. (John 18:28) 
• What was their charge against Jesus? They wouldn't have handed Jesus over to Pilate if He had not been a criminal. That was their answer to why they had brought Him to Pilate. 
• Are You King of the Jews? You have said it. (Luke 23:3)
• "Your own people and their leading priests brought You to me for trial. Why? What have you done?" Pilate questioned Jesus. (John 18:35)
• Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, My followers would fight to keep Me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But My kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:35)

LET IT GROW

• Jesus came to testify of the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what He says is true. That is what Jesus told Pilate in John 18:37
• Pilate told the Jews to take Jesus away and judge Him by their own law.  It wasn't legal for them to put anyone to death. (verse 31) He found nothing wrong with Jesus.
• They insisted that Jesus was causing riots by His teaching wherever He went-Judea, Galilee to Jerusalem. (Luke 23:5) Since Jesus was a Galilean, He was under Herod's jurisdiction. Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at that time.

Because Jesus never sinned, He always told the truth, for He is Truth. Jesus is King over all-heaven and earth. So far, Jesus' kingdom is in heaven, but one day He will reign as King over the earth. (Millenium)

Who do you say Jesus is? Is He your King? 

LET IT GO

Jesus, You are King of kings and Lord of lords, Almighty God, Lord of everything.

You are Emanuel, the Great I AM. the Prince of Pease, the Risen Lamb.

You live forever and reign on high.

Be my King today, Lord Jesus. Rule in my heart.