the King on the cross

Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

John 19:19

The world was grossly unfair and snidely casual about the execution of Jesus. Pilate, out of expediency, agreed to Jesus’ crucifixion and in a dark “proto-meme” had a caption put on the cross as Jesus was dying. Forever in the scene now is the caption: “Jesus, the Nazarene, the King of the Jews”. This image will always be part of the gospel, impossible to erase. Mockery right in the midst of the unimaginable. 

Pilate’s dark sense of humor actually upset the religious leaders who had demanded the execution from the Roman governor. Yet Pilate coldly sneered on, content to have the last laugh with his own public inside joke, at Jesus’ expense.

And still today many might pass by the cross, looking back at it in history and wondering why it matters that a Nazarene peasant religious leader died that way. But the truth is, the dark comedy of the inscription was the ultimate truth and reason for the cross. The King came to save us. The King of the Jews, the Messiah, was delivered over on Passover to be the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

This King on a cross rose from the dead three days after this awful execution, turning His mockery into victory. Christians may be challenged right now. A health crisis worldwide has us safely sheltering home, limited in social interaction, unable to see many face to face, in the fight against the current epidemic. Normally this season of Lent is filled with gatherings of worshipful reflection on the power and presence of our King. But we can still worship Him as we prepare for a unique Easter morning, celebrating in our homes and hearts. Yes, the King was mocked. Yes, the King was beaten. Yes, the King was executed. But the King entered into it all willingly. He gave His life. And the King now lives! And so do we! Yes, we live, because of Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews!

...wait for it...

But as for me, I will look to the LORD;

I will wait for the God of my salvation;

my God will hear me.

Micah 7:7

Everything was uncertain except upheaval. That’s the circumstance in which Micah the prophet wrote these words of trust. God had decreed severe judgment upon Judah and Israel for their disregard of the covenant. Families would be uprooted, people would die, and cities would be burned to desolation.

Yet Micah would wait and trust because God promised His people that a surviving remnant would be faithfully restored. Micah knew that they must willingly bear the revealed punishment for which they were guilty, knowing God would also bring vindication and restored hope to them. Faith accepted the times as the plan of a wise and just God. Faith trusted that salvation too would arrive from God’s hand in His promise.

And so, now, in uncertain times I will trust God. I am NOT SAYING that I know this current crisis is God’s judgment. I AM SAYING it is a painful process to endure, and God has a purpose in it, like He does for every experience of life. Christianity has weathered all sorts of societal upheavals. This isn’t the first time the gospel has been our hope in a crisis! And so I cling to the cross, trust a Savior Who is victorious over death, and believe in the wisdom of God Who does not find a viral pandemic to be a surprise, but in grace is in control of all things for His glory and for the good of those who love Him! He has always called us to wait for the God of our salvation. And He will hear us!

what hard times bring

For all the peoples walk

each in the name of its god,

but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God

forever and ever.

Micah 4:5

Hard times will call out from our hearts what we will truly worship. As the prophet Micah preaches a message of coming, certain judgment on Israel and Judah, he chastises their false beliefs, their greed, selfishness, and idolatry. The coming judgment is promised to certainly bring this all to light.

Thankfully, the Lord does not just rail on their sin, or delight in punishment. Instead, He calls them to repentance. He promises a better future once His cleansing justice has done His work. Micah points to a future where the worship of God is the actual visible and cultural focus of God’s redeemed people. Nations would flow to Jerusalem to worship God (Micah 4:1-2).

God’s disciplining of His people would not only make them better, but would eventually bring about a better world. And God’s heart still works among the nations so that He will be known. May He show Himself in His people even through hard times!

peaceful union with Christ

I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

John 17:23

There is a lot to be tempted to worry about right now: The worldwide chaos brought on by an incurable viral pandemic... An equally viral economy in a historic free fall fueled by the uncertainty... An indeterminate quarantine and potential loneliness building up. Yeah... there is a lot to be tempted to worry about. But God’s love is not on that list.

In this prayer, Jesus is praying for those who will believe in Him (John 17:20)... that’s right, if you are a believer in Jesus, He prayed this prayer for you... right now... in this moment. And Jesus wants His followers to know the joy of being in relationship with Him and with the Father, and through Him, with one another. Union with Christ should be our great, constant hope and joy! We always have Jesus! We always have God’s love! We always have Christian community! Nothing can separate us from Him (see Romans 8:38-39)... not even death.

No chaos then can take me from Jesus. No virus can separate me from His love. No economic downturn will remove His riches and care from me. I am never alone because He has promised to be with His people always (Matthew 28:20). I am in Christ, in God’s love and care... forever. Nothing changes that! I am “found in Him”. I am “in Christ”. Christ is my life. What then is there to truly worry about?

sanctified in truth

And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

John 17:19

Jesus set Himself on the path to crucifixion in order that those who follow Him might be made holy through Him. He gave us salvation. He gave us saving truth through the power of the gospel... a truth that came at the cost of His life and in the power of His resurrection!

I should never doubt the love of God. The gospels make it clear that Jesus was well aware of His life’s purpose and mission. His redeeming work was no accident. By it we are made clean and clear before a holy God. Jesus did this all for our sake.

Lord Jesus,

You were willing to suffer, die, and then be raised from the dead so that I might be made holy by Your work and know the truth that set me free. Thank You for that encouraging reality in which I live today!

Amen

praise at the throne

“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!... Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

Revelation 7:10, 12

This is the praise John witnessed before the throne of God in heaven. The sound of glory to God is what God’s creation gives to Him. It is what we are made to do... stand in God’s presence and offer our worship. And this scene gives us clues as to how to worship God.

Worship God, rejoicing in salvation! God, in Christ, has provided our salvation. It comes only this way. It belongs only to us in Him. This is worth making exuberant, joyful praise! God rules... and He has saved us... that is glorious!

We acknowledge what are uniquely God’s attributes in our praise... His glory, His blessings, His honor, His wisdom... we are thankful for His power and might that all extend forever to His people. Oh praise Him Who sits on the throne, and the Lamb!

with great relationship comes great responsibility

You only have I known

of all the families of the earth;

therefore I will punish you

for all your iniquities.

Amos 3:2

This is a harsh statement for a reason. Israel was God’s chosen people, set apart by Him to show His glory to the nations and to call the world to know God. But they did not keep this covenant. Though blessed by God, they turned from God to serve idols. They did not show the world what life was to be like in God’s family.

So, although the were in a unique relationship, they suffered very severe judgment. God would make Himself known in judgment even as they failed to make Him know in relationship. It is a serious thing to be God’s people.

And as a Christian, I am called to live as a child of God in Christ. I display my family likeness. Should I turn from this and deliberately hide my family resemblance, or be embarrassed of it, I would be in danger of my Father’s discipline. With great relationship comes great responsibility!