Reflecting on John 19:17-27“Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” (John 19:21)
This must have been humiliating for the Jewish leaders.
There is mockery in this title written over a crucified man.
The irony is clear: ‘you and your king are crushed and defeated’.
The Jewish leaders did not want to be known by Jesus.
Jesus was a failed, weak wannabe messiah, and NOT their king.
When we see Jesus spit on, flogged and mocked, do we claim Him our king?
For a world that wants strong leadership, Jesus is not the king they want.
“The weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:25)
In Jesus we see the weakness of God overcoming human strength.
God’s victory is not by an army of angels, but by humble love.
As Jesus followers we celebrate Jesus’s way of weakness.
Jesus’s humility, grace and compassion are the way, the truth and the life.
We also determine to follow this way, to live, love and lead like Jesus.
We want people to see us in Jesus-like weakness and say, ‘they are like their king!’
We boldly wear the sign, ‘we claim this King of the Jews!’
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Your weakness is God's strength, how God overcomes evil with goodness. May we be known not for our greatness or power of influence, but by our declaring You, the king of the world!