The King of the Jews?
Was Jesus really the “King of the Jews” during His ministry while on earth? The first recording in the order of the books of the New Testament of the Bible we have is in Matthew 2:2 where the wise men came from the east into Jerusalem and asked, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?” So it would appear that men thought of Jesus as becoming the King of the Jews. We also see where Jesus is questioned about being the King of the Jews several times throughout the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus answered, “You have said so,” when Pilate asked Him that question. Pilate even had a plaque placed on the cross when Jesus was crucified. Was Jesus denying or affirming that He came to the earth to be the King of the Jews? Note John 18:36. Jesus affirmed that His kingdom is not of this world. Maybe He didn't enter the world the first time as all man and all God just to be king of it.
Consider the duties and responsibilities of a king of a country. A king can be anything from just a figurehead to a dictator. Many kings throughout the world’s history have been absolute rulers. Normally most kings would declare wars against other countries; have control over their subjects in cruel and harsh ways; have control over the finances, etc. Does this sound like Jesus? A king would live lavishly in a castle or large home. Matthew 8:20 and Luke 9:58 both state “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Now does that sound like Jesus trying to make himself the ruler of Israel, or even the ruler of the world? Maybe he just came into the world with that ambition to be the absolute ruler and simply failed? If you believe that, you stand a chance of severely misunderstanding His mission on earth and why He even came as He did – all God and all man.
Jesus’ mission coming to this world was not one of self-gratification but to save man from his sins (Matthew 1:21; Romans 5:9). Many have a hard time believing in sin. Romans 3:23 doesn't say some have sinned, but all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.
Is Jesus a king or not? As I stated before, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” This means He is a king of something. In Hebrew, the words transliterated are, “Baruk Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha’olam.” This is a blessing to God used by the Jews during the Passover which is celebrated around the same time as our Easter or the Resurrection of Christ from the grave. The words literally mean Blessing to God our Lord, Creator Judge, King of the Universe. Jesus is that Elohim and Adonai as well. Colossians 1:16 says that Jesus is the Creator. He also is the Godhead which is the trinity. Genesis 1:1 says B’re’shith Bara Elohim eth hashamayim v’eth ha’arets. In the beginning, God plural He created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:26 says “Let Us create man in Our Image and Likeness.” So all this plurality usage of verbs must mean that God is not only One but we find that He is expressed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit as Matthew 28:19 says.
The fantastic thing we have is that Jesus not only died a horrible death on the cross for our sins but that He arose from the grave (Matthew 28:6-7)!
Jesus is the King of the Universe and not just the King of the Jews! Jesus is ALL GOD AND ALL MAN! Jesus is our Savior!
Was Jesus really the “King of the Jews” during His ministry while on earth? The first recording in the order of the books of the New Testament of the Bible we have is in Matthew 2:2 where the wise men came from the east into Jerusalem and asked, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?” So it would appear that men thought of Jesus as becoming the King of the Jews. We also see where Jesus is questioned about being the King of the Jews several times throughout the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus answered, “You have said so,” when Pilate asked Him that question. Pilate even had a plaque placed on the cross when Jesus was crucified. Was Jesus denying or affirming that He came to the earth to be the King of the Jews? Note John 18:36. Jesus affirmed that His kingdom is not of this world. Maybe He didn't enter the world the first time as all man and all God just to be king of it.
Consider the duties and responsibilities of a king of a country. A king can be anything from just a figurehead to a dictator. Many kings throughout the world’s history have been absolute rulers. Normally most kings would declare wars against other countries; have control over their subjects in cruel and harsh ways; have control over the finances, etc. Does this sound like Jesus? A king would live lavishly in a castle or large home. Matthew 8:20 and Luke 9:58 both state “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Now does that sound like Jesus trying to make himself the ruler of Israel, or even the ruler of the world? Maybe he just came into the world with that ambition to be the absolute ruler and simply failed? If you believe that, you stand a chance of severely misunderstanding His mission on earth and why He even came as He did – all God and all man.
Jesus’ mission coming to this world was not one of self-gratification but to save man from his sins (Matthew 1:21; Romans 5:9). Many have a hard time believing in sin. Romans 3:23 doesn't say some have sinned, but all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.
Is Jesus a king or not? As I stated before, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” This means He is a king of something. In Hebrew, the words transliterated are, “Baruk Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha’olam.” This is a blessing to God used by the Jews during the Passover which is celebrated around the same time as our Easter or the Resurrection of Christ from the grave. The words literally mean Blessing to God our Lord, Creator Judge, King of the Universe. Jesus is that Elohim and Adonai as well. Colossians 1:16 says that Jesus is the Creator. He also is the Godhead which is the trinity. Genesis 1:1 says B’re’shith Bara Elohim eth hashamayim v’eth ha’arets. In the beginning, God plural He created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:26 says “Let Us create man in Our Image and Likeness.” So all this plurality usage of verbs must mean that God is not only One but we find that He is expressed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit as Matthew 28:19 says.
The fantastic thing we have is that Jesus not only died a horrible death on the cross for our sins but that He arose from the grave (Matthew 28:6-7)!
Jesus is the King of the Universe and not just the King of the Jews! Jesus is ALL GOD AND ALL MAN! Jesus is our Savior!