Easter 1: The Forgotten Crown

When we look at Jesus approaching Jerusalem before the crucifixion, we often focus on His role as our Savior—the one who would die to forgive our sins.

This aspect of Jesus is wonderfully comforting, offering us grace and eternal hope. Yet, as we see in the encounters with the Pharisees in the grain fields and synagogue, and in His raising of Lazarus, Jesus was asserting something far more profound than just His ability to heal or forgive.

He was declaring Himself King.

When Jesus stated “something greater than the temple is here,” He wasn’t merely challenging religious traditions. He was making an extraordinary claim about His authority and identity. The Pharisees understood precisely what Jesus meant, which is why their response wasn’t simply disagreement but a plot to kill Him. They recognized that Jesus wasn’t just breaking Sabbath rules—He was claiming to be Lord of the law itself.

How often do we, like the Pharisees, resist Jesus’ kingship in our own lives? We love having Jesus as our forgiver, our healer, our comforter. We’re quick to pray when we need something, to claim His promises of heaven. But how readily do we submit to His authority over every aspect of our lives?

In today’s world, we see many rulers and leaders who claim authority and demand allegiance. Some use power wisely; many abuse it. But regardless of their intentions, all earthly rulers are temporary. Their kingdoms rise and fall.

Jesus, however, is the eternal King whose authority extends beyond governments, beyond time itself. His kingship isn’t based on military might or economic power, but on the creator’s rightful claim to His creation, demonstrated through sacrificial love.

The question for us today is this: Have we truly acknowledged Jesus as King, or have we reduced Him to a savior who forgives but doesn’t rule? Have we accepted His salvation without surrendering to His sovereignty?

As the passage reminds us, “The best Christians you know are not the forgiven ones; the best Christians you know are the surrendered ones.”

Today, let’s examine our hearts. Are there areas of our lives where we’ve said to Jesus, “You can forgive my sins, but don’t tell me how to live”? Are there decisions, relationships, or priorities that we’ve kept off-limits to His authority?

True discipleship isn’t just believing in Jesus—it’s following Him as King. It means surrendering our autonomy, our preferences, and our plans to His perfect will. It means acknowledging that He has the right to direct every aspect of our lives.

This Easter season, let’s not just celebrate Jesus the Savior who died for our sins—though that is certainly worthy of celebration. Let’s also bow before Jesus the King who demands and deserves our complete allegiance.

His is the only kingdom that will never end. His is the only rule that brings true freedom. His is the only crown that matters for eternity.

Prayer
Heavenly Father,

We come before You humbled by the magnitude of who Jesus truly is. Forgive us for the times we’ve been content to accept Your forgiveness while resisting Your reign in our lives. We confess that we often want a Savior without a King, grace without surrender, heaven without submission.

Lord Jesus, You who are greater than the temple, greater than our traditions, greater than our comfort—we acknowledge You today as our rightful King. Not just over the parts of our lives that are easy to surrender, but over every thought, every ambition, every relationship, and every decision.

In a world of temporary rulers and fleeting kingdoms, help us to place our ultimate allegiance in Your eternal kingdom. Give us courage to follow You fully, even when Your ways challenge our desires or contradict our culture.

Holy Spirit, reveal to us today the areas of our lives where we have resisted Your rule. Soften our hearts to receive not just the comfort of the cross, but the challenge of the crown. Make us not just believers, but truly followers of the King.

As we prepare our hearts for Easter, may we celebrate not just our forgiveness, but our surrender to the One who has all authority in heaven and on earth.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our one and only King,
Amen.