I loved the prequel to the Star Wars series. It was intriguing to see the process in which Darth Vader became who he is. The Star Wars prequel helped us become familiar with Darth Vader by recounting the story of Anakin Skywalker, the man who became Darth Vader.

I have been thinking about people who claim to know Jesus but have worldviews that are contrary to the Jewish worldview. There are some who claim to know Jesus who believe that everything is God (Pantheists). There are some who claim to know Jesus (or at least understand his teachings and seek to apply them) who believe that God is not involved in history (Deists). 

A recent sermon by my Pastor has brought me to a reflection on the words above the cross "King of the Jews." Is this just mocking words  or a statement of Jesus' claim, which is also his crime? Or did God also intend for these words to be a statement of Jesus' identity, an identity we must explore if we are to know Jesus fully?

I believe that the second statement is true. God intended the statement above the cross to be a prequel to the story of Jesus. In other words, if we want to know Jesus, we need to look at the story of the Jewish people and their aspirations concerning their king. This story is recorded in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, we find out that the throne of the king is also the throne of the personal God who created the universe and liberated the Jews from bondage (Psalm 2). In the Old Testament, we also find out that the King of the Jews will become the king of all nations (Isaiah 11).

We cannot make up a Jesus who fits our own worldviews or mindsets. Jesus could not be one of many gods in a pantheon. Jesus could not just be the ideal human being. Jesus could not just be a regular prophet who teaches us about God and his standards. Jesus is the ultimate king of the Jews, the one who fulfills the human aspiration for shalom (Matthew 11:25-30). Any other Jesus is not the true Jesus. May you turn to the King of the Jews for the peace that your heart longs for.