And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.
Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’”
Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.” (John 19:19-22)

Read: Daniel 11:36-12:13, 1 John 4:1-21, Psalm 123:1-4, Proverbs 29:2-4

Relate: I have a confession to make. I don’t speak “woman”. I really wish I did, but they have a language all their own specifically designed to confound the more verbally honest half of the species. If you are a guy reading this, I know you are nodding inside and thinking back over the many, many times when you mistakenly thought a woman’s actually meant exactly what she said. Well, I have good news for you. A wiser older man has passed along some of the wisdom he learned after fifty years of marriage. Here is a short dictionary that will help you translate “woman” into English:

Fine – Things are most certainly not fine. She just doesn’t feel like continuing the “discussion” at the moment. The wise course here is to simply be quiet. Don’t not your head. Don’t agree or disagree. Just back slowly out of the room.
Five Minutes – This means for all circumstances the exact same thing you say it means when talking about the last five minutes of that football or basketball game.
Nothing – Something. This usually precludes an argument that will last “five minutes” which will end with “fine”.
Loud Sigh – While not actually a word, this should certainly not be ignored. If you do, you are completely uncaring. When you acknowledge the “loud sigh” you will hear “nothing” for “five minutes” that will end with “fine”
Go Ahead – Don’t you dare! Please note, if you mistakenly actually do go ahead she will give “loud sigh” which when questioned will lead to a “nothing” that will last “five minutes” and end with “fine”.
Soft Sigh – Like “loud sigh” this is not actually a word but most definitely a statement. She is content. Don’t blink, don’t move, don’t speak. Just cherish the moment because it will not last.
That’s OK – Whatever she is saying this about is most certainly not OK. She just has not yet decided the appropriate penalty for whatever perceived crime she is currently saying “That’s OK” to. Eventually, during some “five minute” discussion that began with “nothing” and ended with “fine” this crime will reappear and you will find out exactly how not OK things actually were.
Please Do – Refer above to “Go Ahead”
Thanks – This actually means exactly what it seems with one confusing addendum. If it is immediately followed by the words “a lot” then you are about to have a “five minute” discussion about “nothing” that will end with “fine”.

React: When Pilate wrote “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” on the sign over Jesus’ cross, he meant something very different than “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”. Of course, it is nearly impossible to determine the motives of others, especially those two thousand years removed. From what I have read and know of Pilate, I believe he was making a statement of Roman dominance. Rome is greater than even the greatest of kings from other parts of the world. The Jewish leaders also did not mean to take the “King of the Jews” bit literally. They were not concerned with whether or not anyone would really take that claim literally. All they were trying to do was distance themselves from that man on the cross. He is not one of us.

Neither side had even the barest inkling of how true those words on that sign actually were. Neither Pilate nor the Jewish leaders realized that they were crucifying their King. There need be no hidden meaning. Jesus is the King. He is king of the Jews and of you and me. All too often, we like Pilate try to use Jesus for reasons that will try to bring ourselves glory. All too often we like the religious leaders with our words and deeds we try to disassociate  ourselves from Jesus. He is too embarrassing. No matter what we do with Jesus now, one day every knee will bow. Why not do so today?

Respond:

Dear God,
I acknowledge You as my King. There are no hidden meanings behind that simple true statement. There are no hidden agendas. I simply acknowledge Your authority over me and my submission to You. I surrender to Your Lordship. Help me to live out each day and speak out each word in full acknowledgement of the authority You rightly have over my life and in my world.
Amen