In other words, a typical day in the life of a small church pastor in Holy Week ... AND you should probably be surprised that there's a posting for Friday at all!
But I couldn't let GOOD Friday go by without a peep ....
Presence of God
A quick look through the book of Psalms will reveal a theme that repeats itself again and again - the steadfast love of God.
When we look at Jesus we see the reflection of what God is like. In his life, in facing death, and in death itself, Jesus remained faithful in his love towards those he came to save.
As we journey through Holy Week, you will see the steadfast love of God again and again, fully revealed in the face of Jesus.
Word of God
From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor." When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge's bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, "Here is your King!" They cried out, "Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!" Pilate asked them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but the emperor." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.
John 19:12-20
Devotion
n John’s Gospel, Jesus’ crucifixion is a kind of coronation. Nobody takes his life from him; he lays it down of his own accord. And nobody carries his cross for him; he carries it on his own. And when they finally nail him to the cross and lift it up there he is in all his glory — the King of the Jews. It may be a crown of thorns on his head, but it is a crown nonetheless.
Pilate writes the inscription in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, as if he wanted everyone to know that Jesus was “The King of the Jews.” He seems to have become convinced.
What about you? Can you see in that tortured figure on the cross a king? And can you see in those twisted thorns on his head a crown? It’s not easy for some people to see it, but Pilate knew — it’s there.
Jim Somerville
Merriam-Webster defines ‘king’ as:
1 a : a male monarch of a major territorial unit; esp: one whose position is hereditary and who rules for life
b : a paramount chief
2 capitalized : god, christ
3 one that holds a preeminent position; especially : a chief among competitors
I find it most interesting that they identify the ‘capitalized’ King with the NOT capitalized ‘god, christ’ — most likely an attempt at political correctness, but let’s be real — if you’re going to allude to one as a proper noun, why not the others?
Maybe they have some trouble seeing it too .... or admitting it.
But in every single sense of the word as they have defined it (excluding game pieces, etc.) Jesus fit the bill. He met and exceeded all qualifications for all definitions of King.
No wonder Pilate knew. God might have just as well have shined a spotlight on him.
No wonder I can't get the majestic, soaring, dancing tune DIADEM out of my head ... and its most well known text: And cro-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-own him! Crown him! Crown him! Crown him!......
Norma Prina Murphy
Conversation with God
Lord Jesus, even on this day when I find you hanging from a cruel cross, help me see in you the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Amen.
Benediction
O that you and I might be,
Like Jesus,
Faithful and true.
God grant us grace
That we might become,
Like Christ,
Steadfast in our love too.
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| And of course, since God didn't shine a spotlight...Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy. |
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