Jesus, the Nazarene, King of the Jews – Part 7

When I was a child, my mind wandered during the sermon. (Shocker.) Looking at the crucifix, I wondered about the “INRI” hanging above Jesus. What I know now but didn’t know then is that it stands for IESVS NAZARENVS REX IVDÆORVM. Jesus, the Nazarene, King of the Jews.

Now Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written: “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” John 19:19

Pilate wrote the inscription in Jewish Aramaic, Latin, and Greek for all to see. That rankled the chief priests. They told Pilate to change it to, “He says he is King of the Jews.” Pilate refused. Why? And why is it important?

In the twenty-first century, we don’t think too much about the King of the Jews. David’s throne has been vacant since 586 BC. But to the first century Jew, Pilate’s inscription was a scandal and an outrage.

Were the Jews still looking for David’s heir?

Jeremiah, the same prophet who told Jeconiah in 597 BC that none of his descendants would sit on David’s throne prophesied around ten years later during Zedekiah’s reign that a righteous Branch of David would come forth.

Isaiah also tells us about this coming heir of David.

On that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the beauty of the survivors of Israel. – Isaiah 4:2

Oh, He will.

Jesus WAS and IS and always WILL BE the King of the Jews.