Jesus Is King - the man who is mocked as king is King
Matthew 27:27-31 Governor's soldiers stripped Jesus and put a scarlet robe on him, pretending he is a royal figure. Make a crown of strands of vine thorns they twisted together, pushing it down on his head. They put a staff in his hand and pretend it's a royal scepter. They beat him and mock him, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews."
The Romans, the crowd, the Pharisees, the high priest, all reject Jesus as king.
In those days a king ruled and reigned with authority. In Jesus' day the king's word was the law of the land. His commands carried out.
Kings ruled from thrones and height platforms so they could be seen and heard. They wore royal clothes, perhaps a crown or a scepter to show their status
If Jesus was a king like other kings, like other rulers, then surely he was a failed king. Jesus was raised up on a cross like a criminal, naked and in shame. He did not look like an earthly king with fine clothes. He did not speak like an earthly king, giving orders, lording over his subjects, making his will known. He did not wear a crown of gold and jewels.He did not bear a scepter.
If Jesus was an earthly king, surely he was a failed king. So the soldiers mock him, sarcastically, "Hail, king of the Jews"
There are two layers of irony: the soldiers' mockery of Jesus was meant to be ironic. When they exclaim, "hail, king of the Jews" they mean the exact opposite. The do not believe Jesus is king of the Jews, but a criminal.
But Matthew sees an even deeper irony, while the soldiers ridicule Jesus, their words are actually true, the opposite of what they mean. Carson: "They speak better than they know." Jesus is the king of the Jews. The man mocked as king - is the king. They all misunderstood Jesus' kingship. Jesus came the first time in humility, offering forgiveness, healing the sick, his yoke was easy, his burden is light.
He rode into Jerusalem in his last week on a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
"Jesus came the first time in weakness to suffer for our sins. When he comes again, he will judge the world, putting a final end to all evil, suffering, decay, and death." - Timothy Keller
In Revelation, in the early chapters, Jesus is celebrated as the sacrificed Lamb of God. Later, Jesus is described as a warrior king who utterly defeats his enemies.
Revelation 19:11-16 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
This time that we are in is an opportunity that God has given us to enter into the grace that Jesus Christ offers. But one day that window will close. There will be those who have accepted Jesus' kingship in their lives and those who have not.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.