Psalms 31:1-3a, 123:1-3

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Luke 23. The Mind of the Spirit found me paused at verse 3:

Luke 23:3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

There are several passages or verses that puzzle me, and this is one of them. What did Jesus mean with His response to Pilate’s question whether He was King of the Jews: “Thou sayest it!”?

It may seem of little importance whether Jesus is responding to Pilate’s question with an affirmation, like the way we use the expression,  “You said it!” Or whether He is responding obliquely, indirectly, to avoid providing the Governor with a pretext to crucify Him, or whether He is alluding to some confession Pilate made in other company when discussing the amazing reports that “a bird of the air” carried to the ruler’s ear regarding the wonderful teachings and doings of this strange man from Galilee (Ecclesiastes 10:20). Nevertheless, I labor to rightly understand so I can rightly teach.

“Thou sayest it.” Perhaps Jesus turned the question back to Pilate: “Art thou the king of the Jews?” To which Jesus responded: “Thou sayest it” — signifying either what do you say about it, or declare your own opinion of the matter. Evidence that this might be His intention comes from the account given in John 18:28-37.*

Pilate asked Jesus if He was King of the Jews, and Jesus’ full response was first a question: “Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?” When Pilate repeated the question, Jesus followed with a flat statement: “Thou sayest that I am a king” (John 18:34, 37). Did Jesus mean, “that’s for you to say”? Did Jesus mean, “That’s what you say”? Did Jesus direct Pilate’s thoughts to what his own political philosophy said of kings: A true king is a lover of wisdom, trained in truth and justice, free from greed and ambition, oriented toward “the good” for the sake of good (A summary of Plato’s ideal ruler taken from The Republic — c 380 BC). Or his famous pupil, Aristotle, who contrasted a true “King” from a Tyrant in which a “king” rules according to law, for the common good, and does so aspiring to moral excellence (Aristotle c 384-322 BC).**

Along the still waters, I reflected on how this entire chapter revolves around the question: Is Jesus a King? It was a day of choosing! Everyone chose their “king” that day. The Pharisees chose Caesar as their only king (John 19:15). The “people” chose to follow their religious leaders, who recommended Barabbas (Matthew 27:20). Pilate chose Herod (Luke 23:12) and surrendered his conscience to “the people” (Matthew 27:20-21; Luke 23:22-25). No one chose Jesus, nor did anyone speak for Him.

Pilate is the only one who tried to release Him. Alas, Pilate succumbed to political pressure over personal principle and law.

His final confession of Christ became the accusation by which he justified his actions: “Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS (John 19:19). All who deny that Jesus is Christ manifest in the flesh are antichrist (2 John 7). Let us acknowledge JESUS IS CHRIST, the KING, to all the world, including those who regard this as an accusation to scorn Him.

Let us write the title in our hearts that is written upon His thigh: KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16). For if we will reign with Him we must also suffer with Him: For “if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17). We reckon as Paul did, who said: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

King Jesus spoke by His Spirit to my heart through His word: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

At the table, He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup, assuring me of His sufficient grace to endure whatever may come. Goodness and mercy did not hesitate to fall in behind as we went into the harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏

Going live asap:

https://rumble.com/v75w35o-shepherds-pasture.html

[*John 18:33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

John 18:34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

John 18:35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.]

[** These sentiments were echoed by successive famous philosophers: Polybius (c. 200-118 BC), Cicero (c. 106-43 BC), and Seneca (4 BC – 65 AD). From Plato to Aristotle, political philosophy evolved from concentrating on the virtues of being a true King to pondering the contrast between a true King and a Tyrant. This continued through the successive popular philosophers to Seneca, who lived during the time of Christ. Seneca’s definition of a true, or worthy King may be summarized as follows: A king is a moral example who governs himself before governing others. The characteristics he extolled follow: a worthy king must be rational, self-controlled, merciful, detached from luxury, and a servant of reason. A popularized maxim from Seneca says, “He rules best who serves the law.” Perhaps Jesus meant to recommend Himself to Pilate as King, saying that according to the ideals articulated in Roman political philosophy, Jesus is “a King.” That would be the first step toward bringing Pilate to confess that Jesus is not only worthy to be called “a king,” but is, in fact, LORD, King of all, “The King.” Pilate would likely have been taught in schools greatly influenced by these philosophers, but had become jaded, especially with regard to Plato’s assertion that a true king is trained in truth and justice. I think Jesus saw this cynicism in the heart of Pilate, no doubt arising from some disappointment in leadership: Jesus presented Himself as the answer to Pilate’s desire for a worthy King: Pilate: “Art thou a king then?”  Jesus: “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truthheareth my voice.” To which Pilate responded: “What is truth?” There it is! Jesus touched the root of bitterness in Pilate’s heart that poisoned and embittered him. Sadly, Pilate walked away from what he sought. (John 18:37-38)]