The Gospel of John: Come and See the Rejected King

John is presenting Jesus to us as the Messiah, the King of heaven. The Jewish leaders have handed Jesus over to Pilate, who makes a mockery of him with a crown of thorns, a royal robe, and a salute, “Long live the King of the Jews.” Pilate presents him to his accusers hoping they will be satisfied. Instead, the religious leaders threaten Pilate by challenging his loyalty to Caesar, saying, “You are not Caesar’s friend.” They cry for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate asks, “Shall I crucify your King?” Their response is the darkest expression of the human heart, “we have no king but Caesar.” Israel’s leaders have rejected God’s anointed One (Christ). They have abandoned the promise of God to Israel. They align with Caesar.

Why does John highlight these elements of the narrative? What does he want us to see about Jesus? What does he want us to think as readers? All this happens as the Jewish leaders prepare to celebrate Passover and the lambs are being slaughtered. The picture clarifies. On this night, Israel is rejecting her King, while her King is becoming the Passover Lamb to rescue them from themselves.

Join us Sunday as we unpack these gracious themes. Come and see the King rejected, so he could protect his people from God’s judgment.