November 24

Christ Our King

Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, who questioned Him: “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. — Matt 27:11 BSB

Jesus didn’t look much like a king as He stood there, His hands bound, a cord around His neck. Pilate’s question, “Are you the king of the Jews?” probably sounded like mockery. Yet Jesus answered, “Yes, I am a king.” What a strange reply! Where was His power? Where was His throne, His crown, His royal robes? Who was following Him? Pilate likely looked at Jesus with a mix of pity and scorn.

But how different it all seems to us now! Jesus is throned in heaven, “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in the one to come.” In heaven, He is honored as “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” On His head are many crowns, and His reign is felt across the earth. Wherever His gospel has gone, the influence of His kingdom has reached, bringing grace and redemption.

Jesus was just as much a king when He stood before Pilate, bound and powerless in the eyes of the world, as He is now, exalted on the throne of heaven. His kingdom was not of this world; it was a spiritual kingdom of truth, righteousness, and love. On that day, He appeared to be the weakest and most defeated of all men, but in reality, He was the mightiest and most regal.

What, then, is true greatness? What is real power? It’s not the outward display of wealth and authority that the world esteems. The world bows to crowns that glitter and thrones that shine with material splendor. But the true power in the world is Christ’s power—a kingdom that reigns in human hearts and transforms lives. His power lifts people into noble, holy, and divine beauty.