John 19:17-22

Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others--one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

 

Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 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. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write `The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."

 

Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

 

So Jesus achieved His goal. He went to the place of the Skull, Golgotha, and He carried His own cross there. I think John lets us know that Jesus carried His own cross not because it was such an outrage or so very uncommon, but because this was Jesus’ intention all along. Jesus did not shrink back from the cross. The Father would glorify Him through the cross, and Jesus took it up willingly. Carrying His own cross, Jesus went to the place of the Skull. Our King did not shrink back from facing danger and death for His people. He did not shrink back from being crucified in the midst of thieves.

 

And He was killed because of who He was. He was killed as the King of the Jews. Though the Jews rejected Jesus’ reign, Pilate publicly announced that Jesus was being killed for being the King of the Jews. He announced it in a public language, and he announced it in many languages. Pilate wanted everyone to know that Jesus was being killed because He was the King of the Jews. The Jews’ leaders did not like this and asked Pilate to change the sign. But Pilate said that the sign was going to stay. The final word on Jesus as He died was this: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”

 

Jesus, the King, did what every king should do. He went willingly into battle to defend His people, to protect His kingdom. He went willingly to die, knowing that by dying His kingdom would be established. Although others looked on and despised Jesus, Jesus lived the part of a King to the fullest and fulfilled His own purposes. And though many people doubted that Jesus was truly a king, His reign was proclaimed to everyone in many languages, even while He died.

 

Jesus, thank You for being such a good king. Thank You for making it plain that You are king. Thank You that You gave Your life to expand Your kingdom and defend Your people from their oppressor.