Not That Kind of King
Use the title if you must, but it's not what it implies.
Jesus never really claims the title of king. It’s more of a human invention.
Back in 1 Samuel 8, the people of Israel demanded a king. They looked around at the other nations—how they had rulers and armies and structure—and said to God, “Give us a king too.” God warned them: kings will take your sons and daughters, your fields and your freedoms. But the people insisted. So God gave them one—with a heavy-hearted word of caution:
“When that day comes, you will cry out because of the king you chose for yourselves.”
Now, here stands Jesus before Pilate. And Pilate, operating within the logic of empire, asks him the only question he knows how to ask: “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Pilate’s whole world runs on power and position. Caesar is Caesar. Pilate is in his role because of Caesar-likeness. He sees everything through the lens of authority.
You can’t blame him for thinking that way.
The religious leaders, though—they should’ve known better. They’re threatened by people calling Jesus Messiah or king, and they hand him over not just out of caution, but fear of losing their place. The very thing God warned Israel about is happening again. Only this time, the real king is standing right in front of them.
But Jesus isn’t asking for a throne. He doesn’t seize power. He doesn’t rally armies or demand allegiance. He doesn’t come to be that kind of king.
We still declare Jesus to be king today—and maybe that’s okay. But if we’re going to say it, we’d better mean something very different than what Pilate, Caesar, or even the crowds had in mind.
We’ll return to this passage tomorrow to hear what Jesus says he actually came to do.
John 18:33-38
Pilate went back into the palace. He summoned Jesus and asked, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others spoken to you about me?”
Pilate responded, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your nation and its chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”
Jesus replied, “My kingdom doesn’t originate from this world. If it did, my guards would fight so that I wouldn’t have been arrested by the Jewish leaders. My kingdom isn’t from here.”
“So you are a king?” Pilate said.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. I was born and came into the world for this reason: to testify to the truth. Whoever accepts the truth listens to my voice.”
“What is truth?” Pilate asked.
After Pilate said this, he returned to the Jewish leaders and said, “I find no grounds for any charge against him.
Psalm 93:1-2
The Lord rules! He is robed in majesty—the Lord is robed, clothed with strength.
Yes, he set the world firmly in place; it won’t be shaken.
Your throne is set firm for a very long time. You are eternal!
Prayer
God,
You are not the king we asked for. You are the one we needed.
We confess how often we long for power, position, or protection—even from you.
But you rule in love. You reign in peace. Teach us to see your Kingdom for what it is. Teach us to follow your son, Jesus, for who he truly is.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.