King of the Jews

Now Jesus stood before the governor.  And the governor asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" Jesus said to him, "It is as you say."

--Matthew 27:11  (NKJV)

From the daily Bible reading on February 10, 2013 of Psalm 32; Matthew 27:1-26; Exodus 28:6-29:28.

Judas betrayed Jesus, and Peter denied Him.  His disciples scattered and hid.  He was carried off to be questioned and accused by the chief priests and elders. There, He said nothing in His own defense, only admitting that He was indeed the Son of God, as they said.  He was taken before Pilate, the Roman governor of the region, the only person with the authority to order Jesus' execution.  Pilate knew Jesus was innocent of the charges brought against Him, but thought Him to be only a man, not God.  His wife even warned him to have nothing to do with this "man", or these proceedings.  He tried to have Jesus freed, at the very worst getting Him off with a beating for "punishment" to appease the Jews.  But Jesus would not open His mouth in defense, only admitting to that with which He had been charged.  Pilate asked if Jesus considered Himself to be the king of the Jews, thinking in mortal terms, as a mere man who might wish to rule over his brethren.  Jesus, though, answered in spiritual terms, as the immortal Son of God who rules over all mankind and indeed over all creation.  Jesus answered the question asked, but in far broader and deeper terms than Pilate or the chief priests or the elders could ever have imagined.  He gave no defense, so as to fulfill scripture and the Father's will.  But He left no doubt, at least to us, of His true identity, His true and complete role in all of creation.  Thank You, Jesus!  Amen.

Blessed Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice.  Thank You for remaining silent so that our Father's will could be accomplished as planned.  Thank You for taking a horrible beating and dying a terrible death, and then defeating death just so we might be freed from its clutches forever and find eternal life with You and the Father.  In Your sweet name, dear Jesus, we pray.  Amen.