Two Crowns, One King

He Didn’t Look Like a King. He wore the clothes of a simple, ordinary man. He spent most of His life in obscurity, not seeking fame or fortune. He spoke truth in love as He served, healed, and taught those willing to listen. Word soon spread of the miracles performed by this man named Jesus, whose teaching carried unmistakable authority. The people, suffering under the cruel Roman government, began to wonder: Is He the King (the Messiah, or Christ) who centuries ago God promised to send to set them free? The Crown of Thorns But the religious leaders grew jealous. They turned Him over to Roman authorities on a trumped-up charge of treason. Now, as Jesus stood bleeding and bound like a criminal, Roman soldiers ridiculed the idea of His kingship. They put a purple robe on Him, drove a crown of thorns into His head, placed a reed scepter in His hand, and bowed in mockery. They spat on Him, struck Him, then led Him away to be crucified. As He suffered on the cross, those passing by taunted Him: If He really was the promised King, He should prove it by saving Himself! But they didn’t understand … This King came to die Jesus did not seek to set up an earthly throne or defeat an earthly kingdom. His mission was to overcome our greatest enemies: sin and death. We are born with a sinful nature that separates us from our holy God and makes us deserving of death and eternal judgment in Hell. But Jesus Christ, fully God, willingly left His throne in Heaven and set aside His glory to come to earth. Unlike us, He was sinless and therefore uniquely able to take sin’s penalty upon Himself and die in our place: “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “Made in the likeness of men … [Jesus] humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:7-8). But His death is not the final word … The Crown of Honor Three days after His execution, Jesus proved He was the victorious King by rising from the grave, appearing to His disciples, and returning to His heavenly throne! Jesus is now “crowned with glory and honour” (Hebrews 2:9). God has “highly exalted Him … that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Philippians 2:9-10). One day, Jesus will return to the earth as King over all nations and reign in perfect peace on “the throne of His glory” (Matthew 25:31). He will be revealed to all as “King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords” (Revelation 19:16). Is Jesus Your King? Jesus will also one day establish an everlasting kingdom where sin, pain, and death will be no more (Revelation 21:4). Now is the time to recognize your sin and look to Jesus alone to forgive you and to give you the promise of eternal life with Him. Will you bow before Jesus, the one true King, trust Him for your salvation, and receive the riches of His grace today? “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).