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The kingdom - the King
Introduction
Jesus’ identity as King was not something he paraded in front of people, however, it is prophesied at the beginning of his life, and at the end it is the reason he was executed.
Bible Zone
- Identity of the King - Jesus explains his kingship to the Roman governor.
- The King is prophesied - The king is identified through a prophetic message.
- King begins rule - The way Jesus ministered shows the way of a king.
- The king is received - Jesus’ triumphal entry as the welcomed king.
- The King rejected - The leaders of the people will not surrender authority to the king.
- Price of the kingdom - What lengths has the king gone to gain his people?
Jesus explains his identity as king to the Roman Governor during his trial.
- How does Jesus answer Pilate’s questions about his identity?
- How does Jesus explain his kingship?
- How does Jesus explain his identity?
- What was Pilate’s verdict?
John 18: 33-38 Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him. Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.
This text is part of the prophecy given to Mary about the birth of her son, Jesus.
- What is promised for Jesus?
- Who is the King?
- Where does his kingship come from?
Luke 1:31-32 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!
Jesus said that he only did what he saw his Father doing. His way of life is a window into the heart of the Father and points to the true way of a king.
- What do we see here of the King’s heart for people?
- How does this attitude compare to your view of a king?
Matthew 9:35 Jesus travelled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.37 He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few.38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields."
When Jesus entered Jerusalem at the end of his earthly ministry he came in a way that symbolised kingship.
- What unusual actions took place on this journey into Jerusalem?
- How did the manner of Jesus’ entry communicate his belief in his kingship?
- How did the people’s response indicate their attitude to his kingship?
- Note the 2 Kings passage below.
- Note ‘Son of David’ is a reference to David, king of Israel.
- How was Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem prophesied?
- With what attitude did Jesus enter the city?
Matthew 21:1-11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “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.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
This passage illustrates the intention of laying down cloaks under a person.
2 Kings 9:12-13 Jehu said, “Here is what he told me: ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over Israel.’”
13 They quickly took their cloaks and spread them under him on the bare steps. Then they blew the trumpet and shouted, “Jehu is king!”
Just a few days following Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem the leaders of his people bring him to the Roman authorities for trial.
- What was said by whom about Jesus’ identity?
- What did Jesus believe to be the source of his authority?
- How did the people respond when presented with their king?
- Why don’t people want a king over them?
John 19: 7 The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. 9 He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked him, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. 10 “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?”
11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”
12 Then Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, “If you release this man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar.”
13 When they said this, Pilate brought Jesus out to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the platform that is called the Stone Pavement (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). 14 It was now about noon on the day of preparation for the Passover. And Pilate said to the people, “Look, here is your king!”
15 “Away with him,” they yelled. “Away with him! Crucify him!”
“What? Crucify your king?” Pilate asked.
“We have no king but Caesar,” the leading priests shouted back.
16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.
The king has gone to extraordinary lengths to gain his kingdom. How does this parable illustrate the cost?
- What is the Kingdom equated to?
- What is the pearl in this parable?
- What price was paid for the Kingdom?
Matthew 13:45-46 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!