THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:1-5
“‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ asked Pilate. ‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied.” (Mark 15:2)
Pilate is asking a loaded question, and Jesus gives an ambiguous answer.
The reason for this answer is clearer in John 18:33-38.
The religious leaders were trying to put Jesus against Rome and it’s authority.
To say YES, Jesus would be admitting that He was leading a political rebellion.
On the other hand, Jesus IS the promised messiah, for the Jews and the whole world.
But as is clearer in John’s story, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” (John 18:36)
The kingdom of God is THIS world under the authority of God’s appointed image-bearers (Genesis 1:26-28).
In this sense, we were all created to be kings and queens of creation… but we forfeited that right.
Our sinful, selfish leadership has made creation a dominion of darkness, filled with misery and death.
Jesus is different, and even Pilate can see this.
He does not play the power games we play, or fight the battles we fight.
Jesus represents all that is right and good and beneficial for the world – the kind of ruler we need.
Pilate is amazed, and we can be too, for this is what makes Jesus the true messiah.
Jesus throws back the words to Pilate, to get him to respond on his own… ‘you have said so!’
Have I said so too, will I accept the good news that Jesus is the king we were supposed to be?
The One Who is restoring God’s kingdom, and it’s kingdom rulers, to be all we were made to be?
I have said so, and I will say it again: Yes!!!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I have said so, and I will say it again. You are King of kings! You are what I was supposed to be, and with Your help I can be again!
Observations/Application
They had put the law into their own hands and still working out their plan. The whole religious body bounded Jesus and brought Him to Pilate since only he had the power to put Jesus to death.
The accusers accused Him.
Pilate questioned Him.
Jesus remained silent.
Amazing.
Jesus knew what was still to happen and yet He stayed silent.
Amazing grace for you.
Amazing grace for me.
I am set free to serve Him.
I need to be amazed at His power, His work, His presence each day.
What a Saviour!
I need to walk with my risen Saviour also on this day.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.