Behold Your King, Lifted Up to Judge
13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.
John 19:13-16a
+
Behold Your King, Lifted Up to Judge
Pilate sits on the judgment seat, yet the Gospel shows who is truly on trial. Earthly power postures and postures again, fearful of Caesar and of losing control. The crowds choose Barabbas, preferring a familiar violence to a crucified truth. In grim irony, the One who is King is rejected by His own, handed over not because He is guilty, but because He is innocent. Here we see the terrible exchange. Jesus is condemned so that sinners may go free. He is enthroned not on a marble dais but on the cross. Pilate “hands Him over,” and in that handing over the Father is also at work, delivering His Son for us all. The cross is not a tragic mistake; it is God’s saving purpose. When the world shouts, “Away with Him,” Christ remains for you, bearing your guilt, wearing your crown of thorns, reigning in mercy.
John 19:13-16a
+
Behold Your King, Lifted Up to Judge
Pilate sits on the judgment seat, yet the Gospel shows who is truly on trial. Earthly power postures and postures again, fearful of Caesar and of losing control. The crowds choose Barabbas, preferring a familiar violence to a crucified truth. In grim irony, the One who is King is rejected by His own, handed over not because He is guilty, but because He is innocent. Here we see the terrible exchange. Jesus is condemned so that sinners may go free. He is enthroned not on a marble dais but on the cross. Pilate “hands Him over,” and in that handing over the Father is also at work, delivering His Son for us all. The cross is not a tragic mistake; it is God’s saving purpose. When the world shouts, “Away with Him,” Christ remains for you, bearing your guilt, wearing your crown of thorns, reigning in mercy.
Recent
Archive
2026
2025
January
Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestOur Eternal High PriestCalled by GracePerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGod Comes to UsFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
February
Only at DeathOnce and For AllImpossibleThe Perfect SacrificeThe Once-for-All SacrificeOnce for AllForgiven Once for AllDraw Near with a True HeartA Fearful ThingRemembering with JoyEnduranceOf Things Not SeenBecause of LoveBy FaithThe Builder is GodAs Good As DeadStrangers HereFaith in the God Who ProvidesFaith Looks Beyond the PresentBy Faith, Not FearBy Faith, Not by SightFaith That EnduresPerfected in ChristEyes on JesusDisciplineCast His Eye On YouIt HurtsWeak Knees
March
Strive for PeaceNo Fire For YouMount ZionAn Unshakable KingdomA Kingdom That Cannot Be ShakenBrotherly Love in ChristConfidence in ChristSteadfast in ChristOutside the CampSacrifices of PraiseJoyful Obedience in ChristPray for Your PastorsEquipped by the Blood of ChristEncouragement in ChristGrace Be With You AllGod’s Sovereign HandFaithful in a Foreign LandFaithful in the Small ThingsTrusting GodWisdom from AboveEarthly Wisdom Fails, But Christ ReignsTrue Wisdom and the CrossThe Wisdom of Man FailsConfidence in God's MercyGod of Mercy and MightA Deliverer Sent by GodNo Wisdom but ChristThe Kingdom That EnduresThe Rock That Stands ForeverEarthly Kingdoms CrumbleThe Kingdom That Stands Forever
April