132. Gospel is about a King.

The Gospel is about a person called Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. The Angel had told Mary: "The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:32-33) When Pilate summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?", Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. Infact, for this reason I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."( John 18:37) It was required by Roman law that the charge against the person be displayed above the cross for all to read. So 'Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.'(John 19:19) 'The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate,"Do not write 'The king of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be the king of the Jews." Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."(vs 21-22) The Jews who read the sign didn't recognise him but the thief on the cross did! He had heard Jesus praying for his persecutors and saw the charge written against him and was therefore convinced that the one being crucified was indeed a king, for he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."(Luke 23:42) Even as he was bleeding to death and gasping for breath, Jesus did not fail to acknowledge the one who acknowleged him ! Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."( Vs 43) True to his name, Jesus died saving a soul, even to the last moment of his life! What an amazing Saviour! The thief entered the kingdom that day but the Jews who waited for the restoration of the kingdom of Israel didn't! How ironic! 'Theirs is the adoption as sons, theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs the patriarchs and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised!' ( Romans 9:4-5) Are we looking forward to the coming of his kingdom? If the Jews failed to acknowledge their king, we who are born Christians too can fail to acknowledge him. Let's acknowledge his kingship and get ready to meet our King! He once entered Jerusalem riding a donkey. 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding a donkey.' (Zechariah 9:9/Matthew 21:4-5) But he will come again riding a horse. 'I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True ... On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.' (Revelation 19:11-16) Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.