Pilate therefore, said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37)

King Jesus

Democracy is a wonderful institution that allows citizens to have a voice in the laws of the nation, election of officials, and participation in the free system of individual rights. The United States was born from the rejection of the monarchial rule of England, imposing perceived unfair laws upon the citizens, leading to the Revolutionary War. Historically, there has been national pride in having a nation that makes all men equal and offers a broad range of freedoms based on individual choice. Democracy works well for the nations of men but not in the Kingdom of God.

A monarchy is a single person’s undivided rule or absolute sovereignty over a people. It is a nation or state having a monarchical government guided by the laws of the monarchy. The government has a hereditary chief of state with life tenure and powers from nominal to absolute. A king is a monarch with absolute power, unquestioned by his subjects, and expected to obey all laws without question. In the minds of freedom-loving people accustomed to the joys of a democracy, a monarchy is oppressive and restricted.

Jesus Christ is a king. He is not an elected President, a Prime Minister, or a dictator. He serves as the sole monarch with undivided rule and absolute authority. The government of King Jesus is guided by the laws of the rule of His Father, who gave Him all power and authority. Jesus is the hereditary chief of state with an eternal tenure and powers from nominal to absolute. He rules as long as the kingdom of God remains. When the kingdom of God is dissolved on the final day, He will become subject to the Father, where all rule resides.

The citizens of the kingdom are obligated to serve King Jesus in obedience to His word – unquestioned. Too often, people think of God’s kingdom as a democracy, allowing individual rights to live however they choose. They believe they can change the will of the King to fit the needs of their lives. Even in the historical setting of human history, subjects who refused to obey the king were punished severely. The kingdom of God is no exception, but with greater consequences.

Jesus came into the world to be King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He did not fail to set up His kingdom. Those who are looking for Jesus to return to earth to set up an earthly kingdom in Israel have lost sight of why Jesus came and for what purpose. Jesus has been King of the kingdom of God from the moment He rose from the dead. He sits at the Father’s right hand as King, ruling over the kingdom. When King Jesus returns, there will be no more kingdom – only judgment. Pilate’s inscription above Jesus was a divine testimony affirming the purpose of Jesus coming to earth. Jesus is more than the king of the Jews. He is king of all men.

Pilate was wrong about many things, but he was right when he asked if Jesus was a king. Jesus was born to be King. He came into the world to be King. As king, He bears witness to the truth given to Him by His Father. King Jesus bears witness to the only truth, the only way, and the only life. Most of the world rejects Jesus as king, and that will be to their eternal judgment. Those who believe Jesus is the Son of God accept His rule in their lives. They allow King Jesus to guide their hearts in the will of the Father. Everyone who is of the truth hears the voice of King Jesus.