There are many world leaders who rightly profess to be presidents, rulers, and kings of their countries. From their positions they wield a significant amount of power and authority over the domain they are ruling or leading. Their administrative decisions they make are generally based on the amount of control they have over those who are their subjects. The greater the control the more oppression there seems to be exacted on those individuals being governed. The Bible uses a term that fits here very well, and it is called “Lording Over”!
In Luke 23:1-3, we read about the meeting between Pilate and Jesus. Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king." And Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And he answered him, "You have said so."
We also read in John 18:33, 36-37 this account: So, Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world." Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose, I was born, and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice."
In a worldly sense Jesus was telling Pilate the truth that he was not like the kings of this earth. In fact, He was one who was Ruler over everything in heaven and under the heavens, and all divine authority and power were ultimately His to wield as He willed. Jesus, as the true King could have literally called down legions of angels to bring judgement down on Pilate, the Jewish leaders, and the mob who were crying out crucify him, but He didn’t. Instead, He showed His divine power in being a humble servant, as He faithfully submitted Himself to the will of His Father and to the pain of His persecutors.
Jesus suffered and died as our Savior; He rose from the dead as Ruler and Victor over sin, death, hell, and the devil; and He ascended into heaven and reigns in everlasting glory. May every earthly ruler, king, president, leader, and subject give praise and honor to the True King of Kings, Jesus! Pastor McCarty