5.9

King of the Jews

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2), the magi asked, looking for the baby Jesus in Jerusalem. They came to Jerusalem to find Him, not knowing the prophesy that Israel’s Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). They did, however, know He would be Israel's King. Not until His death would Jesus be formally crowned and His title made public. At the top of His cross a plaque was nailed with His final verdict written on it: “This is Jesus the King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:37). It was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek (John 19:20) so all the peoples can read and know, regardless of their nation or tongue, that this man dying on the cross is King of the Jews. The search for Israel’s King was over

How can the King anointed by God so completely contrast with the King whose glory overwhelmed the Temple in Isaiah’s vision? How can such a Jesus be King? Those who called Him King when He walked on earth believed He would soon reign in power and deliver them from Rome and bring them into God’s kingdom. Others called Him King in derision, laughing at the absurdity of ascribing anything regal to such a common man. They knew what kind of King to look for. He would be a son of King David from the tribe of Judah and would be like His father David, only much more so. He would be more beloved, more wise, more victorious, more chosen by God to lead them. He would reign in justice and righteousness and peace, not only over Israel but over all nations, commanding their honor and allegiance. This would be the kind of King who would come to Israel, the One for whom she had long been waiting

How can anyone confuse the coming King with this Jesus who was so simple and accessible to all? In His life, Jesus imposed Himself on no one. He did nothing to command honor and service from the people. The religious leaders despised and challenged Him to His face, but He did nothing to avenge or protect HIs honor. Instead, He served others, washed dirty feet, and occupied continually with the mundane needs of His subjects. He had no power on earth, no palaces to display His riches. He didn’t even own a pillow for His head! Second class citizens ministered to His physical needs, women from different walks of life who supported Him from their own resources (Luke 8:2-3). Only these who lived at the periphery of Temple life served Him, not by His command but just because they wanted to. And now, here He hung on a wooden cross, dying in the company of criminals, naked before His accusers who still taunted and ridiculed Him to His face. No King ever reigned or died in so miserable a state like this One. How could Jesus be Israel’s Sovereign One?

God’s prophets first spoke of this most paradoxical King’s coming. Zechariah spoke of a King who would come humbly - ani, from anah - mounted on a donkey (9:9) like the one Jesus rode when He entered Jerusalem days before He would be crucified. Isaiah glimpsed this unique King’s glory. He would have “no form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance, that we should be attracted to Him” (53:2). He would be despised, forsaken of men, bearing their griefs, afflicted -- anah -- for His people’s sins (53:3-4). God would be “pleased to crush Him” (vs. 5) as a guilt offering for the work of God that God alone can do. This King would be the holy Sacrifice poured out to death as an offering. These prophets had seen Him, glorious flashes of God’s redemption, but no one foresaw the full extent of His suffering and sacrifice

His is not a kingdom of this world (John 18:36) but a living reign that transforms its subjects into the nature of their redeeming King. The Messiah’s kingdom would bring together the service of both Priest and King, so the Priest can prepare all the King’s subjects to enter into His blessed reign. King Melchizedek, Priest of the Most High God, met and blessed Abraham who honored him in return. This Melchizedek of Salem, whose Hebrew name is translated King of Righteousness and Peace, foreshadows Messiah’s coming. He was both King and Priest, as Messiah is both King and Priest. Both roles were essential for God to fulfill, because He alone can. Zechariah prophesied that One would “sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices” (6:12-3).

Jesus as King and Priest completes God’s work. Israel’s prophets, priests and kings reflected aspects of God through His law. They were reflections of the substance who is God. Ultimately, God alone speaks for Himself as Prophet, mediates for Himself as Priest and reigns alone as Sovereign King. All we can do as His subjects is receive and respond to the transforming presence of His sacrificial life