A misrepresentation of the Messiah had spread throughout Israel. They thought their king would come to usurp whatever earthly authority was ruling over them at the time. To be fair, our human minds cannot comprehend the spiritual very well, and I’d imagine even less so after four hundred years of seemingly no prophecies or great interventions from the Lord for 400 years before His coming. The Assyrians had overthrown the northern state of Israel, then Babylon took them and the rest of Israel into captivity. The Medes and Persians took the Babylonians over and allowed a remnant of Israelites to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their city and temple. The Greeks, along with Alexander the Great, eventually took the Medes and Persians over. And finally, the Romans rose into power and had become the main worldly authority at the time of Christ’s birth. The Jews for generations had only known human authority, being passed around like rag dolls between these powers, all while holding onto hope of their God’s prophetic promises that someday His rule would reign.
I’m sure you’ve had a situation in life where hope has dwindled after the stormy trial tarries on. The burden weighs heavy and God’s promises seem so far removed. You pray and wait, but the longer it goes, the more doubt creeps in, making God’s word seem like a nice fairy tale. But deep within your heart lies the anchor of your faith, believing even if a little, that He will come through for you. Many of the Israelites would have empathized with you. Many died waiting for the Messiah to come. Generations praying and waiting, speaking of the Saviour but feeling like it might not come to pass. So much so, that when it did, their hearts weren’t ready to see or believe it, though He was standing right in front of them, His signs and wonders all around.
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.’” Matthew 2:1-2
Some of the first to acknowledge His arrival weren’t even Israelites; they were foreigners from afar. They heard the prophecies, followed the trail of the sign our Creator God made, which led them directly to Him, the King of the Jews.
One would picture a king to be born in a palace, of noble look and character. He should walk with an air of majesty and title. But this King didn’t start with pomp or prominence.
“Who has believed what we have heard?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
He grew up before him like a young plant
and like a root out of dry ground.
He didn’t have an impressive form
or majesty that we should look at him,
no appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.
He was like someone people turned away from;
he was despised, and we didn’t value him.”
Isaiah 53:1-3
To the Israelites, this was no king at all. He was a rebel; someone who didn’t seem to respect Jewish order or their leaders’ demands. No king of theirs should be seen with the lowly. He should be in the synagogues, studying and teaching day and night. He should be with the stately rulers, discussing politics and the movement to overthrow the Roman government. Or, perhaps even be among the Zealots, training and raising up Jewish military underground so when the time came, they could surprise an attack on the Romans and win with strength.
And yet, none of these fit the man who claimed to be the Son of God. This man didn’t fit their idea of a Messiah at all. He resided in the desert and in the homes of sinners. He was like a nomad, roaming throughout the country proclaiming peace and salvation to all who would listen. He lived by His own system, doing what was necessary for the Romans and God’s Law, but didn’t seem concerned about reputation or pleasing other leaders. His mission was vastly different than their own. He didn’t fit their mould. There was no revolt, no weapons drawn against any leaders; no favouritism to any. So, the people thought they could put Him in their box when He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and they hailed Him as king.
“Blessed is the King who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest heaven!”
Luke 19:38
Yet, when He didn’t fit what they had thought He should be, and so that prophecy would be fulfilled in order to bring about our salvation, the dominion of darkness who had ruled the world by the Father of Lies took charge for their last boldly reigning moments.
“Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a criminal? Every day while I was with you in the temple, you never laid a hand on me. But this is your hour —and the dominion of darkness.” Luke 22:52-53
The biggest point made throughout His trial in the Sanhedrin and with Pontius Pilate was the truth and mockery of Jesus being the Messiah, the King of the Jews – A title which marked His birth now mocked at His death.
“When daylight came, the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the scribes, convened and brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, ‘If you are the Messiah, tell us.’
But he said to them, ‘If I do tell you, you will not believe. And if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.’
They all asked, ‘Are you, then, the Son of God?’
And he said to them, ‘You say that I am.’” Luke 22:66-70
What the Jews didn’t understand is that He was not only their king; He was the King over heaven and earth!
“Then their whole assembly rose up and brought him before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man misleading our nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’
So Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’
He answered him, ‘You say so.’” Luke 23:1-3
Christ could not lie, and therefore could not deny that He was the King. It must have been so difficult for Him, knowing all those who thought they had authority over Him in reality did not. It was the Lord allowing them to act as they were in order that Jesus would become the atoning sacrificial Lamb on our behalf.
“A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand: He directs it wherever he chooses.” Proverbs 21:1
Therefore, at the cross, to the religious leaders in mockery, and truth for His disciples, “An inscription was above him: This Is the King of the Jews.” Luke 23:38
As the people stood in darkness at midday, as Jesus’ body hung there on that rugged cross, accepting the full wrath of God on our behalf, they only saw what was happening in the physical. Meanwhile, Christ’s authority was conquering sin, the enemy, and death itself, bringing the option of freedom to all mankind.
“And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses. He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.” Colossians 2:9-15
What a moment that would have been! There was a time when hell’s fury was heaped on Jesus, as God’s wrath crushed Him for our sin. The “dominion of darkness” looked like they had won. It sickens my stomach to think of this. But! There came a moment when God’s wrath was complete and His justice satisfied, when the authority was handed to Christ! Not that I would have wanted to witness it, but how powerful a sight it would have been to see the demons who were merciless to Him, turn to fall before Him, silenced by His authority! Oh, the fear that would have gripped them! “The keys of death and Hades,” (Revelation 1:18) dangled in Christ the King’s hand! As He rose from death, the reminder of His prophecies hung in hell’s air that God’s vengeance is coming for them soon.
Then, so mankind could witness a piece of what had taken place, Jesus rose again from the tomb and physically testified of His authority over earth. He then ascended back into heaven, proving His authority of the heavens and the earth. Sin’s debt had been paid. Eternal life has been offered to all who want it by love and faith in Jesus Christ. Now we await the final coming of our King of Kings and Lord of Lords when He returns in His glory to fully finish this earth and what limited reign the Devil has left, and usher in His New Kingdom!
“Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war. His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Revelation 19:11-16
This is the powerful King I worship. Is He yours? If so, hold onto hope as the stormy trials seem to tarry on, remembering who He is and what He’s done. He is coming back and will take us to be with Him forever.
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.
Where, death, is your victory?
Where, death, is your sting?”
1 Corinthians 15:55
