Mark 15:2 "Are
you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you
say," Jesus replied.
This
week, millions of people around the world joined in celebrations that marked
the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. In
1952, she ascended to the British throne as a young woman after her father died
from cancer. She has endeared herself to many people and commonwealth nations
around the globe. She has successfully served as sovereign and when she passes,
we will never see the likes of her again.
Queen
Elizabeth is the monarch of Great Britain, but not Scotland. Her title in
Scotland is ‘Queen of Scots’ which means that she reigns over the people, but
not the land. This is a great freedom that Scots have jealously guarded and dearly
possessed for centuries. There is a common belief that the land belongs to
everyone, which is why it is difficult to prosecute anyone for trespass in Scotland.
The ‘Freedom to Roam’ anywhere in the nation is often upheld under Scottish law,
so long as no actual damage is made to the landowner’s property.
I
find it intriguing that Pilate did not ask Jesus if He was the King of Judah,
the Prince of Palestine, or the Emperor of Israel. He asked him precisely if
Christ was the King of the Jews – not a land, but a people. Pilate must have
seen something in Jesus that moved him to ask this question. When Jesus
answered affirmatively, it astounded the Roman Governor. It also stayed with
him because Pilate ordered a sign to be hung above Jesus on the Cross that read
“King of the Jews.” Whether or not he did this to mock the Jewish people or to
display what he believed to be the truth, we cannot say.
In
the Old Testament, we can read on many occasions God saying to the Hebrews, “You
are my people and I will be Your God.” When Christ positively answered Pilate’s
question, He was following a long tradition and fulfilling many prophecies. Even
today, Jesus is Sovereign of all His people – so that the terms ‘Christian
nation,’ ‘Christian government,’ or ‘Christian society’ are actually redundant
in Christ’s eyes. His people are His Church, not bound by national borders or
political views. His people are His servants, not tied to geographical limits
or even temporal ones. Christ is the King of Kings, the Lord of Life, and the Head
of the Church which is made up of His people.
Question for personal reflection
How do I
understand and serve Christ as my King?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your Kingdom is about
people, not property. Your ministry is about nurturing, not nation building.
Your mission is about salvation, not society. Help us to understand these important
differences so that we may truly serve You as Your people and celebrate You as
our Sovereign. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
