Key Passage
It was nine o'clock in the morning when they nailed Jesus to the cross. There was a sign with the charge against Jesus written on it. The sign said: "The King of the Jews."
— Mark 15:25-26 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Jesus was recognized as King at his birth by angels, shepherds, and stargazers. Jesus was recognized as King at his death only by God—the sign described the charge against Jesus whose closest followers abandoned him. While God had shown glimpses of his plan through the words of the prophets, a crucified Messiah was inconceivable to Jesus' contemporaries. So while the sign attached to the cross above Jesus' head is true, only God knows it at the moment of his Son's death. To everyone but the Father, everything seems lost in the mockery of this sign, of this crowd, and of this cross. But God is faithful and Jesus is King: long may this King reign in our hearts!
Prayer
O Father, only you would devise such a plan to redeem us. Only you would have your Son revealed as King from the place equated with humiliation, suffering, and death. I confess, dear God, that the message of the Cross captures my heart and helps me know your love more fully. I praise you for such love and for such a sacrificial King. May he reign, in my heart and in your glory, forever and ever. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea. He was born during the time when Herod was king. After Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. The wise men asked people, "Where is the new baby that is the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw the star rise in the sky in the east. We came to worship him."
— Matthew 2:1-2
So Jesus is the One God raised from death, {not David}! We are all witnesses of this. We saw him! Jesus was lifted up to heaven. Now Jesus is with God, at God's right side. The Father (God) has now given the Holy Spirit to Jesus. The Holy Spirit is what God promised to give. So now Jesus is pouring out (giving) that Spirit. This is what you see and hear. David was not the one who was lifted up to heaven. {It was Jesus who was lifted up to heaven.} David himself said: 'The Lord (God) said to my Lord: Sit at my right side, until I put your enemies under your power. ' "So, all the Jewish people should know this truly: God has made Jesus to be Lord and Christ. He is the man you nailed to the cross!"
— Acts 2:32-36
If he is really the Christ, the king of Israel (the Jews), then he should {save himself by} coming down from the cross now. We will see this, and then we will believe in him." The robbers that were being killed on the crosses beside Jesus also said bad things to him.
— Mark 15:32
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