A Godly Testimony

Rev. P. Blok, Dirksland, the Netherlands

Christ was led out to Golgotha. Pilate had tried in vain to keep Jesus out of the hands of the Jews. How dear it has become that their life is outside of Christ. With bitter hatred they have called out, “Crucify Him, crucify Him.” Pilate has delivered Him to be crucified. See, there goes Zion’s guilt-paying Surety. He, carrying His cross, has gone up to the cursed hill. He is bearing the punishment of death for a people that have deserved death and condemnation. It is the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world. His place is between two murderers. He is numbered with the transgressors.

Among the many things which happened upon the cursed hill, our attention is fixed in our text upon a remarkable superscription. What does this all mean? What lessons are hidden therein? These are questions which call out for an answer. It is the governor Pontius Pilate who has commissioned this superscription. We are here directed to the wonderful fulfillment of God’s counsel. Initially, Pilate has expressed to the Jews that Jesus is innocent. Now he places a sign on the cross of Jesus, upon which is written, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

It is because of sin that we live under the sentence of sin and death, but who, through discovering grace, has learned to experientially believe this? Well, for a people who have been sentenced by God’s law and justice, this superscription is a preaching of immense comfort.

Here he points to the accusation whereupon the sentence of death was pronounced. It was the custom when someone was sentenced to death that the reason for the death sentence would be written out and nailed to the cross above the head of the condemned person. All the people would know why the condemned one had to be killed. A board, upon which was written red letters, was nailed to the cross above the head of Jesus, so every one knew the reason why He had to die. Pilate represented the law. As judge he has proclaimed the reasons for the punishment.

It is a testimony for the Jews. It was for this reason that Pilate had pointed to Jesus and said to the Jews, “Behold your King.”

The Jews answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” In saying this, they have revealed what was in their heart. Indeed, He is not their King. They are not the subjects of Zion’s King. They are subjects of the Prince of Darkness and follow the dictates of their king. How very different is the life of God’s true children. They have not only learned to know a newborn King but, as true subjects, they have also learned to know a suffering King. As they approach the cursed hill, they know that He is their King. They also know even more, for “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” The superscription is a testimony of His true administration. Oh, that we might learn to read this superscription.

It is a testimony of salvation. Just read along with us! “This is Jesus, the Nazarene, the King of the Jews.” We are informed of His personal name, the name which He received of His Father. This was already made known by the angel. “Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.”

He shall take away the sins of His people. Everyone can now read why He must be crucified and die. It is because He is the Savior. He died for the sins of His people. As the substitutionary Surety, He took the place of those who are His.

It is because of sin that we live under the sentence of sin and death, but who, through discovering grace, has learned to experientially believe this? Well, for a people who have been sentenced by God’s law and justice, this superscription is a preaching of immense comfort. It is with this writing that the Lord can take away the sentence which rests upon them. By the application of Christ s righteousness they can be acquitted of guilt and punishment and receive a right to eternal life. We read above His cross, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

It is a testimony of the place where He sojourned, and it points to the name by which He is known. Jesus of Nazareth is His name of honor. This is not only the name by which the Jews knew Him but also the name by which His followers knew Him.

Nathaniel could not accept it at first, for he said, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” But when God’s uncovering Spirit teaches us who we are and that nothing good can ever come forth from our heart, then this superscription is a wonder. He wishes to be known both by and of a people that have learned to reject and condemn themselves.

He is called the King of the Jews. To this end He was anointed by His Father with the Holy Ghost. “Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion.” The wise men from the east sought for Him, and asked, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews?” It is a wonderful testimony which speaks to us upon this cursed hill. It points to a crucified King. In this manner He reveals His triumph over sin, the world, and Satan. However, heavenly light and grace are needed to see it. Jesus is the serving and ruling King. Hell’s raging against Him is in vain.

Eternally flourishes the crown of glory
Upon the head of David’s greatest Son.

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen