19 John – Jesus, the King

By Richard

We read in John 19 that Pilate wrote a sign and placed it above Jesus that read in Aramaic, Latin and Greek the following words:

JESUS THE NAZARENE
THE KING OF THE JEWS

Some of the Jews, reading the sign, asked for it to be changed to the words, “this man said, ‘I am the King of the Jews!’” But, Pilate refuses with the words, “What I have written, I’ve written!”

This is one of those scenes where I believe there is more going on than meets the eye. I think that we often read over it like it’s a miscellaneous historical fact. But, reading it today, it struck me that Pilate may be unwittingly declaring a prophetic truth, a bit like Ciaphas, who doesn’t realise that he is prophesying when he says that it is better for one man to die for the nation.

The strength of reaction of the Jews should alert us to the fact that even in Jesus’ death there is a declaration that this IS the King of the Jews, The Messiah. Pilate might not be aware but he’s telling the world that Jesus IS the Messiah. He’s telling you that Jesus is the Messiah!