The Crucified King
The path to the throne for Jesus leads through a moment of severe suffering and not splendor. Jesus would journey to the throne by way of the cross, the facing of rejection, the enduring of brutality, and the experience of death. What appears to be defeat is not a moment when God’s plan is stopped, but the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. On Good Friday, we are reminded that the crucifixion reveals that Jesus reigns as King through sacrificial love and substitutionary death.
THE KING IS MOCKED
In Matthew 27, Roman soldiers strip Jesus, clothe Him in a scarlet robe, and place a crown of thorns on His head. They mock Him by kneeling and falsely worshiping, taunting Him as the King of the Jews. They strike Him, spit on Him, and seek to humiliate Him. This mockery shows how the world often ridicules and rejects Jesus because His authority challenges human pride. We need to understand the danger of fleshly pride, which can lead us to imitate their mockery through disobedience or dishonor.
THE KING IS CRUCIFIED
From the moment of mockery, Jesus is led along the path to Golgotha. At this site, Roman soldiers crucify Jesus, raising Him between two thieves. A sign above Him reads, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Bystanders, religious leaders, and even criminals hurl insults at Jesus. Still, some of His followers weep, others hide, and a criminal turns to Jesus in repentance. What seems like a tragic event—the crucifixion—actually represents an intentional sacrifice of the King for sinners. The cross was essential for redemption to be possible.
THE KING IS RECOGNIZED
Darkness shrouds the land, symbolizing divine judgment. Jesus cries out and entrusts His Spirit to the Father. The veil in the Temple tears, and the earth trembles while tombs open. Why does Jesus' death stand apart from all others witnessed by the Roman soldiers? One soldier's voice provides the answer: “Truly, this was the Son of God!” Even in death, creation and witnesses confirm Jesus's true identity as King and the Son of God. Recognizing the King naturally leads to confession.
RESPONDING TO THE CRICIFIED KING
Every individual in this passage responds to Jesus in different ways. Some mock Him and reject Him, while others remain indifferent, not bothering about Jesus. Still, others believe because they see Jesus as the true King and Son of God. At the cross, we should be careful not to reject Jesus out of indifference, which happens when we keep our distance from the cross to avoid confronting our own condition. Instead, we must embrace the gospel by trusting in Christ’s sacrifice for salvation and responding in faith. We need to surrender all areas of our lives to the Lord, who gave Himself for us. At the cross, we declare that Jesus is indeed the King and the Son of God.
The Crucified King is also the Risen King. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, salvation is accessible to everyone who believes by faith. At the cross, neutrality is impossible — you must either reject the King or submit to Him.
