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Continuing our analysis of the penultimate chapter of Luke’s Gospel, this week, please read verses 33-38. If possible, use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 23:37-38 (NLT)
‘They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened to the cross above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”’
I have a friend who has been educated to a very, very high level. Throughout his career he has been awarded numerous degrees and fellowships with many letters after his name. I once asked him exactly how many letters he has as a title and it was almost as wide as this sheet of paper. Since then he has also been awarded the ‘Member of the Excellent Order of the British Empire’ and therefore has a further three letters – ‘MBE’ to add to his illustrious title.
Let me stress the following does not apply to my friend, but there are so many people who chase after such things and love to boast of their accomplishments in life. I remember talking to one man who insisted I call him by his full title and refused to listen if I called him by his name! Sadly, this also applies to some people within the Church. Some people must be referred to as ‘Pastor’ or ‘Vicar’ or ‘Father’. While it is expected that we show respect to all people who have been ordained in such ways but when the title becomes more important than the ministry they provide, I think things are in need of some change!
In our verse today, we see one of the most famous ‘titles’ of all. In Luke’s Gospel it is simply stated as ‘This is the King of the Jews’. In John’s Gospel, we are told that it read ‘Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews’. Matthew informs us that the wording was ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews’. Many people consider this ‘disagreement’ to be a contradiction and stress that there must be an error here. I don’t know the definitive answer for this but perhaps it could be explained in the following way.
John’s Gospel in chapter 19 and verse 20 says ‘Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. It is entirely possible that the various writers chose not to include the full wording or as the above verse indicates, it could be that the writing in the various languages was interpreted differently by the authors depending on the language to which they were referring. All four writers are united in that one phrase was found in all of the languages or interpretations – ‘The King of the Jews’. Titles are normally used to command honour or respect, but it’s probable that the inscription written above the cross was intended to bring ridicule and mocking. Pilate insisted on this wording and we really don’t know why. However, due to his hatred of the Jews, and the fact that he could find no fault with Jesus, it could be that he was doing this in order to mock the Jews themselves. The one King that they had been able to produce was now being crucified, and by their own request!
Jesus was indeed the King of the Jews but He was far more than that! The book of Revelation gives as a very different picture of the God-Man who was being crucified. Chapter 19 gives us the following description: ‘From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.’ This is the same Jesus but with a different title. Praise God that He is our King and our Lord.
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