A question for us all to ponder.
But he replied, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me. 68 And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.”
70 They all shouted, “So, are you claiming to be the Son of God?” And he replied, “You say that I am.” 71 “Why do we need other witnesses?” they said. “We ourselves heard him say it.”
Luke 23:1-3 Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. 2 They began to state their case: “This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king.”
3 So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You have said it.”
Jesus accusers are having their day in court. The proceeding that began in the middle of the night with the high priest is now continuing with Pilate, listening to the charges against Jesus, Pilate asks him “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Interesting question and one that every person should consider. After-all if he really is who he said that he is then the consequences for giving the wrong answer or not even answering at all are very serious. What if we call some eyewitnesses into the court room to answer Pilates question?
Remember thirty three years ago? The angel Gabriel told Mary that Jesus will be a king:
Luke 1:32-33 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”Remember the Magi and the gifts that they brought for the king, remember King Herod:
Matthew 2:1-2 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”How about another witness? Nathanael told us as soon as he met Jesus:
John 1:47-49 As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.” “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”After Jesus fed five thousand people they tried to make him king:
John 6:14-15 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.Who do you say Jesus is? That is the question that Jesus asked his disciples one day during a pop quiz. It is a question that we had better answer correctly. Lets look at what Jesus says about himself:
| John 6:51 "I AM the living bread which came down from heaven." John 8:23 "You are from beneath; I AM from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world." John 8:12 "I AM the light of the world." John 8:58 "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." John 10:9 "I AM the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." John 10:11 "I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." John 11:25 "I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. John 14:6 "I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 15:1 "I AM the true vine, and My Father is the vine-dresser. |
Thank you Lord for caring enough to leave heaven and be mistreated for my benefit.
