Reading
SAA Notes
Joseph of Arithamea and Nicodemus gave Jesus a costly burial, suitable for royalty. It is their declaration that Jesus is their King, their Messiah. They are drawn to Him in His death and confess their allegiance openly.
SJA Notes
* Dear God, thank You for this day, and for Your word to us. Please write it on our hearts as You work in us.
“Pilate answered, ‘What I have written I have written.'”
These are some steadfast words.
Whether he will be found in glory or not, Pilate here stands strong in his affirmation of the truth of Jesus.
THE KING OF THE JEWS
Pilate had been pushed around, politically manipulated, by the Jewish chief priests and teachers of the law, the leaders of the church who were gunning for Jesus, literally baying for His blood.
Pilate would be pushed no further.
Whether Pilate became a believer, whether he grasped the depths of what it meant for Jesus to be King of the Jews – That’s not what matters here.
God was working all things through His Sovereign Will.
Through Him, His Spirit at work in us, we are able to understand.
Jesus was the King of the Jews, of Israel. God’s people called through Abraham, through Isaac and then Jacob.
Jesus is the true King of God’s people. Bringing blessing to all nations through Abraham, the promise to Abraham.
Pilate’s inscription describes the truth of Jesus. To those at that time who wished Jesus dead. It speaks backwards to all from Adam. And it is true for all time since then and through the end of days.
Jesus is King!
* Great God Above,
Thank You for Jesus, the true King!
Thank You for Your love for us, that through the death of our King Jesus we who were Your enemies might have life.
Thank You that You open our eyes to the truth, what Your word reveals to us.
Please write Your word on our hearts this day, and each day.
Amen.