The Living Jesus – The King on a Cross
Texts: John 19:17–22; John 10:17–18; 1 Corinthians 15:50–57; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18; 1 John 3:2
John 19:17-22 (NKJV)
The King on a Cross
17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, 18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:
JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
20 Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.
21 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ”
22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
John 19 paints a gripping picture:
“And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull… where they crucified Him… and Jesus in the center.”
Above His head, Pilate wrote:
“JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
This wasn’t just political mockery. This was a divine declaration. Heaven wasn’t silent on that cross—it was speaking loudly to earth and to hell.
The chief priests tried to change the wording:
“Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’”
But Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
Even Pilate couldn’t rewrite the truth. Jesus was and is the King—not only of the Jews, but of all creation.
Pilate could deal with a dead Jesus—but a living Jesus would turn his world upside down. And one day, Pilate will stand before that same Jesus as Judge.
1. Jesus Laid Down His Life—But Took It Up Again
John 10:17–18 says: …“I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me… I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”
Jesus didn’t just die—He chose to die. He surrendered His life, not as a victim, but as the Lamb of God.
But He didn’t stay dead.
He laid down His life as a man—but He took it up as God in glorified flesh.
2. Death Couldn’t Hold Him—Because Sin Had No Claim
“The sting of death is sin… but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:56–57)
Death is the byproduct of sin. Every human born starts dying from their first breath—because all are born into sin.
But Jesus was sinless.
The grave could not legally hold Him. He conquered death, not just for Himself—but for all who believe in Him.
3. His Resurrection Guarantees Ours
…“For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:52)
When Jesus rose, He didn’t rise in the same weak body He died in. That corruptible body was transformed.
He rose in a body that would never die again. And that same resurrection power is our promise:
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 says the dead in Christ will rise first.
We who are alive will be caught up—and we shall be changed.
1 John 3:2 tells us: “We shall be like Him.”
We will live forever—not in broken, sin-prone bodies—but in glorified ones that cannot be corrupted.
4. Jesus Lives—So We Will Live Also
The King who hung on a cross didn’t stay dead.
He got up—not just in Spirit—but in resurrected, glorified flesh.
And because He lives, we live also.
The grave has no victory. Death has lost its sting.
He swallowed death in victory!
The Hour is near I pray you find encouragement
“Therefore, comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
This is not a fairytale. This is not fantasy.
This is the blessed hope—the solid truth of the gospel.
We serve The Living Jesus.
Not a myth. Not a memory.
A Risen King. A Soon-Coming King.