John 20:12-22
From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.
So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God, our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tonight is one of the most solemn nights of the Christian year as we remember the crucifixion of our King, Jesus. We read from John about His trial and crucifixion. Throughout the passage, we see repeated references to Jesus as "King of the Jews" or simply as "king." Whether it’s an accusation or a mockery, it’s not a mistake that John emphasizes this. Jesus is the King—not just of the Jews, but of all who follow Him. He is a king who dies for His people.
If there's one image that sums up Good Friday, it's Jesus on the cross—arms spread, head bowed, with a crown of thorns. What kind of king is that? It’s certainly different from any king before or after Him—whether it’s David, who ruled with a sword and shield, or today’s kings, with their wealth and power. Jesus is a king unlike any other.
In John’s Gospel, Pilate asks Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus responds, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight. But My kingdom is not from this world.” Jesus' reign is different. He’s not a king who conquers, but a king who serves. That’s the essence of why He came. He didn’t come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.
Jesus rules His kingdom with love—not power. He had the ability to call down angels or to use His divine strength to escape, but that’s not why He came. He didn’t come to conquer; He came to serve. And He offers Himself as a sacrifice for you and for me. What king would do that?
Even today, Jesus rules His church with love, not force. He doesn’t send us out with weapons to conquer the world. He sends us with His Word and His sacrifice. This doesn’t make sense in a world that values strength and victory. But that’s the way of Christ. The first Christians didn’t fight back when persecuted. Instead, they followed their king through suffering and death, witnessing to the Gospel. And it worked. The Roman Empire was ultimately transformed, and even the emperor was baptized before his death.
Jesus rules through His Word and Sacraments. He brings salvation and sends His Spirit to empower us. This is a kingdom not of this world. And while the cross is a terrible and horrific image, there is beauty in it. The beauty lies not in the gore, but in the selfless sacrifice it represents. Jesus gave His life not for Himself, but for the good of others.
In a world that constantly seeks self-fulfillment, Jesus shows us a different way. So much of life revolves around "me"—finding happiness, seeking fulfillment in relationships, career, or even church. But when we live only for ourselves, everything becomes a tool for our own gain. This leads to emptiness, anxiety, and a lack of purpose.
The beauty of Christ’s life and death is that He lived not for Himself but for us. His sacrifice on the cross brings us life, and His death is the gateway to eternal life with Him. This is the beauty of a life of service: living for others, not for yourself. Jesus came to die on the cross so that we might live forever. In a world filled with self-interest, living for others is truly beautiful. Amen.
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