14/04/17

Can this be a King?

Can this be a King?  This man of humility, kneeling in prayer, in agony of soul.  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  Surely a King would do whatever he liked, not someone else’s bidding.

Can this be a King?  Betrayed, arrested, seized, tied up and bound?  Plans made against Him; evil schemes hatched. Why didn’t He call upon his royal armies to rescue Him? 


Interrogations, false evidence brought against Him - treated like a conspirator, a criminal.  Can this be a King?

Blindfolded, slapped across the face, whipped and beaten.  Is this the way to treat a King? 

Ah, there IS a crown!  But it’s not the crown resplendent in gold, shining in the sun - not a crown embellished with precious jewels – it is a crown of thorns.  There IS a gorgeous robe, a purple robe, a royal robe, but there is no honour, only mocking and ridicule. “Behold your King.” Can this be a King?

The crowds cry out, “Away with Him! Crucify, Crucify”. 
“Shall I crucify your King?”
We have no King but Caesar.  He is not our King. This man shall not rule over us.

If I had been there, I would have joined the crowds. My call too would have come, “Crucify. Crucify”. This man shall not rule over me.

Can this be a King?  Nailed to a cross, insults hurled upon Him, abuse shouted at Him, thieves His partners in crime … sneers, shame and indignity.


The King dies - the sun stops shining.  But did they take His life from Him?  No. He gave it up. He gave it up for those who hated him. He gave it up for those who hurled abuse at him. He gave it up for those who would not have him rule over them. He gave it up for sinners.  He gave it up for me.

Can this be a King?  Yes, He is a King. He is THE King. God has exalted Him to the highest place. God has given Him the name that is above every name.  He IS the King and at His name, every knee shall bow in heaven and earth and He shall reign for ever and ever.

Can this be a King?  Yes, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Sovereign Lord, King of Kings, reign in me.


© Val Laird