John 19:16-21: a reflection

16So then he delivered him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led him away. 17He went out, bearing his cross, to the place called “The Place of a Skull”, which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha”, 18where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the middle. 19Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. There was written, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 20Therefore many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘he said, “I am King of the Jews.”’”

At Golgotha, Jesus is crucified between two others, and over his cross Pilate places a title, King of the Jews, written in three languages for all to read, proclaiming his kingship even as he hangs there. There they crucified him, the account says, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the middle. And Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews, written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that all who passed could read it. In the very place of his crucifixion, Jesus is proclaimed King, and proclaimed to all peoples, in the three languages of the world around him. The crucified one is the King; his throne, in a mystery, is the cross. This shows the crucified Christ proclaimed as King to all peoples. The crucified Christ is King, proclaimed even on the cross. Christ's kingship was declared to all peoples, in every tongue. His throne, in a mystery, is the cross where he gave himself. Behold the King who reigns from the cross.

Notice the title over the cross and how it was written. Pilate placed above the crucified Jesus a title: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. And it was written in three languages, Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, the languages of the world around, so that all who passed by, of every people, could read it. Whatever Pilate intended by it, the title proclaimed a profound truth: that this crucified man is the King, and a King proclaimed not to one people only, but to all. In the very place of his death, hanging between two others, Jesus is declared King, and declared to the whole world. This is a mystery at the heart of the gospel. The King reigns, but his throne, in this mystery, is the cross; he is proclaimed King precisely as he gives himself in death for his people. The world expects kings to reign in power and glory; but this King reigns from a cross, in self-giving love, and it is there, in his death, that his kingship is proclaimed to all peoples. To behold Christ crucified is to behold the King, who reigns not by force but by laying down his life, and whose kingship is declared to the whole world. We do well to behold and bow before this crucified King, proclaimed to all peoples, who reigns from the cross where he gave himself for us. Behold the crucified Christ, who is King, proclaimed to all peoples. His throne, in a mystery, is the cross where he gave himself. This King reigns not by force, but by laying down his life. Bow before the King who reigns from the cross for you.

That is worth taking to heart, for the crucified Christ is King, proclaimed to all peoples even on the cross, and we do well to behold and bow before him, as the title declared his kingship in every tongue. We can see the cross only as defeat; but over it was written, in three languages for all to read, that this crucified one is the King. He reigns from the cross. Behold the crucified Christ as King, proclaimed to all peoples, who reigns not by force but by laying down his life; and bow before him. Behold and bow before the crucified Christ, who is King, proclaimed to all peoples and reigning from the cross where he gave himself for you, as at Golgotha Jesus was crucified between two others and over his cross Pilate placed a title, King of the Jews, written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek for all to read, proclaiming his kingship even as he hung there; for in the very place of his crucifixion Jesus is proclaimed King, and proclaimed to all peoples in the three languages of the world around him, so that the crucified one is the King whose throne, in a mystery, is the cross, since whatever Pilate intended the title proclaimed a profound truth, that this crucified man is the King and a King proclaimed not to one people only but to all, declared in the very place of his death to the whole world, which is a mystery at the heart of the gospel, that the King reigns but his throne in this mystery is the cross and he is proclaimed King precisely as he gives himself in death for his people, since the world expects kings to reign in power and glory but this King reigns from a cross in self-giving love and it is there in his death that his kingship is proclaimed to all peoples, so that to behold Christ crucified is to behold the King who reigns not by force but by laying down his life, and we do well to behold and bow before this crucified King.

Lord Jesus, at Golgotha, you are crucified between two others, and over your cross Pilate places a title, King of the Jews, written in three languages for all to read, proclaiming your kingship even as you hang there. There they crucified him, the account says, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the middle. And Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews, written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that all who passed could read it. In the very place of your crucifixion, you are proclaimed King, and proclaimed to all peoples, in the three languages of the world around you. The crucified one is the King; your throne, in a mystery, is the cross. Show me the title over the cross and how it was written. Pilate placed above you a title: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. And it was written in three languages, the languages of the world around, so that all who passed by, of every people, could read it. Whatever Pilate intended, the title proclaimed a profound truth: that you, this crucified man, are the King, and a King proclaimed not to one people only, but to all. In the very place of your death, you are declared King, and declared to the whole world. This is a mystery at the heart of the gospel. You reign, but your throne, in this mystery, is the cross; you are proclaimed King precisely as you give yourself in death for your people. The world expects kings to reign in power and glory; but you reign from a cross, in self-giving love, and it is there, in your death, that your kingship is proclaimed to all peoples. To behold you crucified is to behold the King, who reigns not by force but by laying down your life. Take that to my heart. Help me behold and bow before you, Lord, the crucified King, proclaimed to all peoples, who reign from the cross where you gave yourself for me, reigning not by force but by laying down your life.