Bedside Watchman THE KING OF THE JEWS

Last Updated on : October 11, 2014

The Bedside Watchman

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October 23rd -- John 19
THE KING OF THE JEWS

JESUS "went forth" as the sin offering and was taken "without the gate" (Hebrews 13:12). He bore "the cross for himself' (R.V.), doing in literal fact what he had urged as a spiritual necessity for all who follow him; and in its full significance he bore it for himself, that others might then enter the fellowship of his sufferings that they might partake of the exaltation which is his because of obedience unto death. And the shape of the hillock where he was crucified had the ominous name -- "place of a skull." The mockery of his claims was maintained to the last; they put him in the place of honour, "in the midst." Seditious men were crucified with him, as though his kingship was over such. He who had resisted the offer of the kingdoms of the world and their glory, who had refused the popular appeal that he should be king, was now lifted up as though enthroned over those who would have striven to make Israel free. As a crowning irony Pilate wrote a title, placed over the head of Jesus: "Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews."

JOHN CARTER, The Gospel of John, page 212