What Kind of King Are You Looking For?

Jesus Sentenced to Be Crucified

19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face. 4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” 5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” 6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” 7 The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.”
As Jesus is sentenced to be crucified, we see the irony of these last hours.  Pilate wanted to let him go, but the Jesus' own people wanted to crucify him.  The common theme is one of Jesus as "king".  The Jewish leaders tried to use Jesus' claim to be a king to arouse the anger of the Roman authorities. They tried to pander to the Roman authorities by accusing Jesus of leading a revolt against Rome.  In fact, Pilate tries to make fun of Jesus "the king" by putting a purple robe on him and then twisting a crown of thorns on his forehead.  
Later when Pilate appeals to the people again he says, "Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. 15 But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered." 
Since the Old Testament, when Israel demanded God to give them a king, until now the Jews didn't realize Jesus was no ordinary King. And here's why.  
1. The Jews were looking for a political and military king who would deliver them from the Romans.  Jesus was a king who would deliver them from sin. 
2. The Jews were looking for a king who would use authority to overpower others.  Jesus used his authority and power to lay down his life for all people.
3. The Jews were looking for a king they would serve. Jesus was a king willing to serve by washing others feet.  
4. The Jews were looking for a kingdom on earth.  Jesus brought in a kingdom that was from heaven.  
5. The Jews were looking for a temporary kingdom, Jesus brought in a kingdom that would last forever.  
Ultimately Pilate had no other choice but to crucify this King Jesus.  And Jesus submitted to all it because he knew it was HIs Father's will.  
What kind of King are you looking for?  What kind of kingdom do you long for?  While we are called to submit to earthly kings and authorities, we worship Jesus, the King of Kings.  And like our King Jesus, we are willing to wash each other's feet and lay down our lives for those we are called to serve .  One day our King will return in great and promised glory.  And his promise to those who have served him in this life is that they will reign with him forever in heaven.  

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