City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Luke 23:32–38.

Reflection

“This is the King of the Jews.” All four gospel writers record this inscription was there above Jesus on the cross. They all thought it important enough to mention. They all must have marveled at it, at the sovereignty of God in the midst of such chaos.

Pilate had written “This is the King of the Jews.”  It was written in three languages, Greek, Latin, and Hebrew (John 19:20). The declaration was not just for Jews, nor the Greeks, but for all people. It was a universal declaration. Pilate meant the statement sarcastically, but it was true. Pilate thought he was being funny, not recognizing what he wrote was profound.

When the Chief Priests saw Pilate write, “This is the King of the Jews,” they tried to get him to change it to, “He said he was the king of the Jews.” In response, Pilate said, “What I have written, I have written” (John 19:22). Pilate thought he was exercising the supreme authority of the Roman Empire, not recognizing he was was merely the useful instrument of the sovereign God. 

Application

The foregoing demonstrates that in the midst of what the followers of Jesus must have perceived as utter chaos and the reign of evil, the steady, sovereign hand of God was directing events, and His voice was declaring to all, “This is the King of the Jews.”

It is a good reminder that even in the times when things seem out of control and when nothing seems to be as it should, God is sovereign and God speaks. If only we will see. If only we will listen.

Prayer

Lord, help me always be alert to the presence of Your hand and Your voice. Amen.