On Sunday, I described Pilate as a bully and a coward. He lacked any sense of moral courage or conviction. His “delivering over to be crucified” (19.16) was a pathetic display of buckling under for the sake of political expediency. When the appeasing act of flogging and mocking Jesus did not satisfy the blood lust of the Jewish High Priests, Pilate was blackmailed into crucifying the King of Glory (19.12). Mysteriously, but not surprisingly, this was all part of God’s plan (see vs 11). In God’s plan there had to be a satisfactory atonement for the sin of man – and Jesus was it.
In the sermon, I made a passing mention of the atonement – the work of Christ on the cross that satisfies God’s penalty for sin, and brings salvation for sinners who repent and trust in Christ. I mentioned the atonement in relation to John 19.14, “Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover . . . .” I made passing mention of it, but the doctrine of the atonement is at the center of the gospel. Without the atonement, there is no forgiveness for sin, no reconciliation with God (Heb 9.22). Without reconciliation with God, there is no salvation – no heaven, no hope – only hell.
On the day that Jesus died, throughout Jerusalem, lambs were being made ready for the Passover meal. Being made ready is an expression that refers to killing the sheep and preparing the meat in a certain way for the Passover meal. At the same time that wool-covered, bleating lambs were being prepared, the “Lamb who takes away the sin of the world” was also being prepared. The memory is grotesque, but the theology is grace.
Though the Jews rejected Jesus as their king, He is a King – but He’s not like any king before or since. Throughout history, many kings have demanded that their subjects fight and die for the king. Throughout history, some kings have fought and died alongside their subjects. The ambition in both of those scenarios was to hold onto the kingdom for the king’s benefit. History knows only one King whose mission was to die so that His subjects could be made ready for His Kingdom.
Jesus was a different kind of King. He offers hope to all who will embrace His difference and surrender to a life of being different (after the King’s model). I pray that includes every reader of this email. If it does not include you, I invite you to contact me so that we can discuss how you can become a follower of this different kind of King.
For the believer, let this reminder about your King be one more thing to encourage you and equip you in your faith.
For the nonbeliever, trusting in Christ is the one essential thing you must do if you would be encouraged and equipped by faith.
Pastor Gary