As Pontius Pilate sat down before the people to render his final sentence upon Jesus, he made one final offer to release Him. He brought Christ out before them wearing a purple robe, with a crown of thorns upon His head. His body was already wounded and bloody from scourging, and although His sentence depended upon their response, He offered not a word in plea for Himself. To emphasize Christ's humiliation to the crowd, Pilate said, "Behold your King!" Let us ponder these same words as they relate to Christ in the events surrounding His death. "Behold your King!"

Behold Him riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. The Kings of the earth often display their greatness by the manner in which they enter a city. They ride in pomp and splendor, with such preeminence that their subjects can rarely approach them. Not so with Christ. Of Him it was written, "Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9). His entry into the city underscored His humility toward His people and His purchase of their salvation. He did not ride in a chariot or on a stallion but on a donkey. He came wearing no robe but would wear the purple robe in which He would be mocked. He came wearing no crown but would wear a crown of thorns on His head. He came not in procession to a palace but in meekness to the cross. "Behold your King!"

Behold Him humbly serving His disciples. Christ's disciples called Him teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for so He was (John 13:13). But even He did not come to be served but to serve. In the face of His coming death, His disciples were the concern of His heart. He fervently desired to share His last meal with them, and He would not leave them without words of instruction, comfort, and prayer. He also "rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded" (John 13:4-5). See His love and humility! See the Great One being the servant of all! He was unlike any earthly King, for His kingdom was not of this world. "Behold your King!"

Behold Him suffering in agony in the garden. It was in the Garden of Gethsemane that Christ told His disciples, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death" (Mark 14:34). It was there that He cried out in prayer "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matt 26:39). The thought of the coming hours weighed upon Him immensely. The thought of suffering the judgment of God in the place of sinners overwhelmed Him. His pain was so great that He offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears (Heb 5:7). "And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground" (Luke 22:44). And during all this His disciples were sleeping! Behold Him bearing such great sorrow alone. "Behold your King!"

Behold Him being betrayed and forsaken. He went to the garden knowing that His betrayal was at hand. Judas knew the place and would soon come leading a detachment of officers to arrest Him. Christ did not attempt escape but said to His disciples, "The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise. Let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand" (Mark 14:41-42). And who betrayed Him? It was one of His closest companions, one with whom He had sweet fellowship for years. Behold the sorrow as Christ looked Judas in the eyes and said, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" (Luke 22:47-48). Behold the rest of the disciples fleeing the scene after they had vowed that they would die with Him. Behold Peter three times denying that he even knew Him. "Behold your King!"

Behold Him being falsely accused and convicted. "Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none" (Matt 27:59-60). --But they convicted Him. Christ allowed Himself to suffer the fate of the wicked. He was silent before His accusers and would not answer the charges against Him. "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). Although Pilate and Herod found no guilt in Him, He was sentenced to the death of the cross. Behold the people demanding the release of a murderer instead of Him! What injustice! The murderer goes free, and the Son of God goes to execution with two robbers! "So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'And He was numbered with the transgressors'" (Mark 15:28). He stood in the place of His people, taking the sentence for their sins. "Behold your King!"

Behold Him being beaten, humiliated, and dying on the cross. "When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head" (Matt 27:29-30). He was worthy of the worship of men, but He suffered the fate of a criminal. He was humiliated and treated with the utmost contempt. "His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men" (Isaiah 52:14). He hung naked on the cross with the bystanders saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God" (Luke 22:35). He cried out in agony, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matt 27:46). But behold Him dying on the cross so that sinners could be saved. Behold Him asking forgiveness for those who killed Him. Behold Him fulfilling His own words: "as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:14-15). Behold Him saying, "It is finished!" (John 19:30) and giving up His spirit. "Behold your King!"

Dear children of God, behold your King! He is the truly great One, unlike any King who has ever been or ever will be. See His greatness manifested in His humiliation and suffering. He set aside the exceedingly great glory He had from all eternity (John 17:5) to humble Himself and become man. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Is 53:3). For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross (Heb 12:2). And all this for you! Therefore, stand in awe of His mercy, and give Him honor as your King. Be unashamed to be His disciples. Consider how you may imitate Him, for if He patiently endured the cross and gave Himself in love for sinners, what sort of subjects should you be in His kingdom? "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher" (Luke 6:40).

You who have not turned to Christ, He is your King by dominion, but if you would be pardoned, you must bow to Him in submission. His is the only name under heaven by which you can be saved (Acts 4:12). He is no longer on the cross but is raised from the dead and now says, "I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death" (Revelation 1:17-18). Why will you not humble yourself before Him? You breathe His air, eat His food, walk on His ground, and enjoy all of the blessings of His world. Your body and soul belong to Him, and your destiny lies in His hands. Oh, seek Him while He may be found! He humbled Himself to save sinners like you, and He now freely offers so great a salvation. Grope for Him if perhaps you might find Him. Repent and believe in Him now, for He will come again, not as a suffering servant but as a wrathful God. Then, He will be the judge and say, "Bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me" (Luke 19:27).

If you would like to receive further information concerning these matters, please contact Joseph Montalto.