Scripture Reading: John 1:9-13
“9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” -John 1:9-13 (NIV)
Christmas Series: What Child is This?
Exploring the true identity of Jesus.
Five Ways the Bible Describes Jesus:
1. The Prophet - 12/3
2. The Priest - 12/10
3. The King - 12/17
4. The Savior - 12/24
5. The Shepherd - 12/31
Today’s sermon in one sentence: Despite the claims that people make, Jesus is the one true King of the World.
Understanding The Role of the King
The Kings of Israel:
1. Protected the People
2. Provided for the People
3. Pursued Justice
4. Set the Spiritual Tone
Jesus Was Honored as King
1. At his Birth:
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” -Matthew 2:1 (NIV)
2. At the Start of His Ministry:
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” -Nathanael in John 1:49 (NIV)
3. As He Entered Jerusalem the Final Time:
“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” -Matthew 21:5 (NIV)
The Leaders of Rome and Israel Refused to Acknowledge Jesus as King.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus:
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ And they slapped him in the face.” -John 19:1-3 (NIV)
Irony: The soldiers are right to honor Jesus as King. “A broke clock is right twice a day.”
Pilate Defends Jesus:
4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” 5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”* -John 19:4-5 (NIV)
Note: “Here is the man” is a word-for-word match of what the prophet Samuel said when Saul was appointed as the first King of Israel (1 Samuel 9:17. The words are identical in the Greek version of the Old Testament).
The Jewish Leaders Accuse Jesus:
6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” 7 The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” -John 19:6-7 (NIV)
Pilate Prods Jesus for Answers:
8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9 and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” -John 19:8-10 (NIV)
King Jesus Responds to Pilate:
Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” -John 19:11 (NIV)
The Jewish Leaders Play Politics:
12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar. 13 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement. 14 It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.” 15 But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. 16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. -John 19:12-16 (NIV)
Irony:
1. The Jewish leaders are the biggest supporters of Roman rule.
2. The Roman governor keeps calling Jesus the King
3. “We have no king but Caesar” is a shocking admission of guilt by the Jewish authorities.
Blinded by Darkness
“The Passion story of John is indeed a story of tragedy, but it is not Jesus’ tragedy; it is a human tragedy as we witness the futile and tragic efforts of people blinded by darkness, unable to see the true king in their midst.” -Gary Burge, the NIV Application Commentary on John
What Was Blinding Them?
1. Fear & Insecurity
2. The Pursuit of Power
3. The Thought of Being Wrong
Application: Honoring Christ as King
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” -John 1:12 (NIV)
Application:
1. Trust in Jesus
2. Worship the King
3. Reject All Counterfeits
Shepherding Groups:
1. Isaiah 9:6-7 (For to us a child is born)
2. Luke 1:26-38 (The angel speaks to Mary)
Church of the Week: Tehachapi Vineyard Church
Invitation
Tap here to Respond to today’s message
Questions? Contact Bryan: (609) 356-3147 or bfojtasek@westsidelife.org.