Today I would like to talk to you about the most hated KING in the whole world. His name is JESUS CHRIST! 

When the name of Jesus Christ is mentioned many people have a mental image that comes to mind. When the “Holiday Season” rolls around, many people see little manger scenes where the cute little “graven images” of Jesus are laid on top of a pile of straw. To some people, Jesus becomes a little baby to them. In some churches they even sing Happy Birthday to Jesus on December 25th each year.

To many others, Jesus is still seen as a young Jewish man in His early thirties who taught some very good principles, did some wonderful miracles, and walked along the shores of Galilee.

To others, Jesus is still hanging on the cross and therefore a little crucifix is hung on the wall as a reminder of His death.

But have you ever thought of Jesus Christ as a KING?

The Old Testament tells us that the King of Israel is God! 

Thus saith the LORD the KING OF ISRAEL, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. (Isaiah 44:6)

Then the prophet Isaiah said the KING was coming “having SALVATION” riding on an ass [donkey]. Who could this possibly be speaking of?

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy KING cometh unto thee: he is just, and having SALVATION; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. (Zechariah 9:9)

Then some wise men came looking for a person who was born “KING OF THE JEWS”.  This upset an earthly King named Herod, and all of Jerusalem along with him. How could the birth of a baby upset so many people? Who was this new born child? The Bible tells us that it is JESUS CHRIST.

Now when JESUS was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born KING OF THE JEWS? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all JERUSALEM with him. (Matthew 2:1-3)

When Jesus grew up to be a young man, a man named Nathaniel called Him the Son of God, and also the King of Israel. Could this be true?

Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? JESUS answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, RABBI, thou art the SON OF GOD; thou art the KING OF ISRAEL (John 1:48-49)

One day Jesus came riding into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah had prophesied hundreds of years earlier. the people cried out Hosanna, and they called Jesus the KING OF ISRAEL.

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that JESUS was coming to JERUSALEM Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the  KING OF ISRAEL that cometh in the name of the LORD, And JESUS, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy KING cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.  These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when JESUS was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. (John 12:12-16)

Eventually the majority of Jesus’ own people [the Jewish people - of Israel] rejected Him and saw to it that He would be crucified.

 But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the KING OF THE JEWS? For he knew that the CHIEF PRIESTS had delivered him for ENVY. But the CHIEF PRIESTS moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the KING OF THE JEWS? And they cried out again, CRUCIFY HIM . Then Pilate said unto them, WHY, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, CRUCIFY HIM.  (Mark 15:9-14)

While Jesus Christ was hanging on that old rugged cross He was mocked by the Jewish religious crowd, including the chief priests. They mocked Jesus by telling Him that He could not even SAVE Himself. They asked Christ [MESSIAH], the KING OF ISRAEL, to come down from the cross so that they might see and believe.

And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, SAVE THYSELF, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the CHIEF PRIESTS MOCKING said among themselves with the scribes, HE SAVED OTHERS; HIMSELF HE CANNOT SAVE  LET CHRIST [MESSIAH] THE KING OF ISRAEL descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. (Mark 15:29-32)

Pilate put a placard upon the cross, entitled “THE KING OF THE JEWS” and this upset the Jewish Chief Priests. They demanded that he change it to say “He said, I am the King of the Jews” so that it would appear as a mockery as Jesus hung on the cross. Pilate refused to change what he had written, because the hand of God would not allow it to be changed.

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, THE KING OF THE JEWS; but that HE SAID, I AM KING OF THE JEWS. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. (John 19:17-22)

This person who we know as Jesus Christ is still hated by the majority of people in the world. His name is often used when people are angry or in a rage, and it is often intermingled with the worst of the four letter curse words. Few ever pay attention to that when it does happen, it is so taken for granted. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is known as the KING OF KINGS and the LORD OF LORDS and one day he is coming back to judge the whole wide world. Are YOU ready for that day?

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is LORD OF LORDS, and KING OF KINGS : and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14)

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)

 The mercy of God is available to all mankind. Please remember that none of us are promised even another day!

For there is no difference between the JEW and the GREEK [GENTILE]: for the same LORD over all is rich unto ALL that call upon him. For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be SAVED (Romans 10:12-13)