And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand, and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews. Matthew 27:29
At its zenith, the British Empire was the greatest empire in all of human history, occupying one quarter of the earth’s land mass, and including a fifth of the world’s population. During the 1800s, under Queen Victoria, the British Empire held unchallenged dominance over most of the globe, and spread a cultural heritage that continues to this day, with English the world’s most dominant and widespread language. The British Empire is no more. Most of the former colonies have either developed into autonomous dominions or have opted to sever all ties with Britain. Only 14 small overseas territories remain of what was once the empire, although many former colonies now hold memberships in the Commonwealth, which is a non-political and voluntary association of equal members. Some 15 of those members, including Canada, recognize the British sovereign as their titular head of state. That dramatic reduction in power and influence is remarkable, but not nearly as remarkable as the humiliation that mankind inflicted on the King of Kings. But unlike the British Empire, which will never rise again, the Lord Jesus is preparing to establish an even greater empire.
None of the soldiers who mocked the Lord Jesus that day had any inkling of just Who was before them, although they were aware of the accusations. For them He was just someone on whom they could inflict their cruel pre-execution abuse and torture. They were soldiers of what was at that time the greatest empire ever to rise in the world. Even if Jesus were the true King of the Jews, that title held little concern for them. Their mistreatment as our text outlines was just part of the steps by which the Lord Jesus humbled Himself that He might be our Saviour. But His humiliation came to a halt as He was laid in a borrowed tomb, and His exaltation began when He rose in triumph over death. Listen to what Isaiah 9:7 tells us concerning the rise of His empire: Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Today, we are part of His kingdom, citizens of an empire that is to the world largely invisible, and to the world largely irrelevant. But as citizens of Christ’s kingdom and as residents of a world that largely rejects His authority and power, we are waiting for a coming day when that kingdom will be established. Until that day, we live in this world, allowing our testimony for Christ to be the salt that preserves the world from the worst effects of its sinfulness, and telling others about our great King and the joys of His kingdom. -Jim MacIntosh