Jesus - The King of the Jews

Wrong expectations can cause us to miss some of the most obvious and meaningful things in life.  If we expect to make a lot of money, we may miss the occupation that will bring us fulfillment and satisfaction.  If we expect  to get all A’s in school, we may miss the wonder and adventure of learning something new.  If we expect to get every note right in a song, we may miss the joy of making music.  If we expect to win every game, we may miss the exhilaration of competition and playing the game.  Wrong expectations can cause us to overlook some of the things that God wants to reveal to us!

Wrong expectations caused the Jews to miss their Messiah King! At the time of Jesus arrival, the Jews were wrongly expecting a king who would overthrow the Roman government and restore Israel’s (John 6:15).  God had declared through Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3, 35:11), David (2 Sam. 7:12-13) and the prophets (Is. 9:6-7) that a He was going to send a Messiah King who would deliver the people of Israel from their oppressors and establish an everlasting era of peace, justice, and mercy.   From Zedekiah (597-586bc), Israel’s last king, until Jesus Christ, the Jewish people of Israel had been without a king ruling over them for over 550 years.  Anticipation of God re-establishing an earthly king was at the center of Jewish expectations.   

Jesus was not who the Jews were EXPECTING, but He was their KING!  The Jewish King would arrive under the radar of Jewish expectations.  Although the Jewish expectations of the Messiah King were wrong, it is obvious from Scripture that God intended for Jesus Christ to be more than just an earthly king, but a different kind of King who would rule and reign for eternity!  How did the Jews miss their King?

1.  Jesus the Jewish King was born in BETHLEHEM (Matthew 2:1-6) – Jesus’ entrance into the world was not a kingly event.  Jesus was born in a small village 5 miles south of Jerusalem.  Because there was no room at the inn for Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem, Jesus was born in barn or cave where animals were kept overnight.  His bed was a trough that animals were fed from.  Jesus’ birth was on not one of nobility, but instead one of humility.  The King of the Jews did not ascend mightily to a throne, but rather descended in a lowly manner to the earth.

2.  Jesus the Jewish King conducted His triumphal procession riding on a DONKEY (John 12:12-15) – During this time period, Roman leaders would publically celebrate a military victory by proudly ride a chariot through the city with a procession of soldiers.  The prophet Zechariah had predicted Jesus’ pre-victory triumphal procession, but instead of riding on a chariot He was riding on a donkey.  The King of the Jews’ humble victory parade showed that He had an even greater conquest in mind.   

3.  Jesus the Jewish King was coronated by being MOCKED (Mt. 27:27-30) – Jesus being crowned as King was a mockery.  Soldiers of Pilate sarcastically hailed Jesus as the King.  They belittled Him, embarrassed Him, made fun of Him, and physically abused Him.  Treatment worthy of a criminal, not a King.  Treatment that the sinless Christ had neither earned or deserved, and yet He endured such ridicule and shame in order to wear the crown of a true King.

3.  Jesus the Jewish King assumed the throne by His SUFFERING and DEATH (John 19:1-3, 14-22) – Earthly kings rule and reign with power and strength.  Jesus’ power and strength were displayed in His weakest, most vulnerable moment.  Through death, Jesus displayed His power over death.  Jesus gained the ultimate victory over death by raising from the dead 3 days after He was buried in a grave.  Jesus’ victory over sin and death makes Him not just the King of the Jews, but all who would believe in Him!

CONCLUSION

Jesus Christ is the King of the Jews and most all of them missed and overlooked Him for the King that He was and still is.  Do we have the wrong expectations of Jesus?  Is it possible for us to miss or overlook who Jesus Christ is in our lives?  Be careful not to make the same mistake as the Jews.  Jesus Christ is God-Himself, born as a man, who humbly endured the shame and punishment of the cross in order to save us from our sins and resurrect us back to life in order to rule and reign with Him in heaven for eternity.  Is Jesus your King!?!