INRI and crown of thorns.
“And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews’” Matthew 27:37).
INRI = “JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS”
This week we are examining Matthew 27 and a label that was placed on the cross above Jesus’ head. You may be familiar with this label but you also, like me, might need a refresher on what it means. Let’s seek to understand what the “INRI” label means!
These four letters, INRI, are a label. The INRI label has four Latin initials which represent these words: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” The Latin uses the letter “I” to represent the English letter “J”. So this means that the words “Jesus” and “Jews” are represented by “I” - INRI.
I - Jesus
N - Nazareth
R - Rex or King
I - Jews
And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Such a label was often used in ancient Rome as a way to indicate the crime for which they were being crucified. It would also include their name. Jesus of Nazareth was being condemned to die because he claimed to be the king of the Jews.
Why is this such an important title? Why is that we need to look carefully at this? What will we do in response to knowing this label?
This label and the Matthew 27 text tell us what Jesus, as our King, subjects himself to. The Window in focus this Sunday has INRI and a crown of thorns. The crown of thorns is such a prominent marker for a king. It is a great indication of what this king is like. It betrays his heart for his subjects. It shows how far he will go to benefit us.
Let’s use a modern day example: The Attorney General of New York announced that one of New York’s leaders was guilty of sexually harassing multiple women. This leader used his position to take advantage of someone with less power than himself. Is that a good leader? Is that the kind of leader we want? Do we want a leader who’s going to do only what benefits himself? Do we want a leader who will live for self and squash competition, molest those under him, hurt others just to satisfy deviant whims? Is that a good leader? Is that the type of leader Jesus is?
Matthew 27 tells us that Jesus is a much different leader; he is self-less. He is thinking about others as he leads. “They offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it” (Matthew 27:34). Jesus wouldn’t drink the gall because it would have deadened the pain for him. Here he is, at the cross, suffering for our guilt. In that suffering which he did not deserve, he could have sipped this pain killer but that would not have served to remove our penalty. He had to suffer fully for all that we have done wrong.
“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him” (Matthew 27:27-31).
This king is stripped, mocked, spit on, and crucified. None of that is for his benefit. It is all being experienced by the ONLY perfect person who ever lived - Jesus Christ. This perfect person, Jesus, offers himself as our King. But remember carefully, He will not force his kingship on our life. He offers it if we are interested. He offers his life and his kingly attitude only for those who want to be benefited by his gentle and loving leadership. He offers himself only for those who know they need what he is offering them in the humiliation he suffered on our behalf.
If he’s truly this universal king with unlimited power why would he allow this to happen to himself? Because he is a king that operates with a different mindset. He’s gentle and caring. He is a king with a different focus than any other king, governor, mayor, or president that has ever stepped foot on this planet. His actions are governed by his incredible desire to see us prosper and to see us rescued. The only way he can rescue us is by taking on this punishment himself. And he does just that.
The kings and rulers and leaders of this world function in a different way. Some operate out of an amount of care and concern. Some are very good but none can match the selfless giving and sacrifice of this universal king. His name is Jesus from the town of Nazareth and, if you want, he will be your king too. The Jews didn’t want him; the Romans didn’t want him! Do you? Do you want a king who is willing to serve you?
Or do you prefer a king or governor who will speak eloquent words to cover up his or her sadistic agenda? You can tell a leader by their actions in public and in private. This king Jesus was kind and loving and gentle to even the least human being. He was generous and courteous to the molested and weak. He did not force himself on anyone. He would not bully or ignore those who are smaller than him or less than him. Instead he served them. Let’s praise INRI - Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews [and my King too]!
What to do with this message this week? Let’s try this: share with one person, that your King is named Jesus.
Blessings to you this week in King Jesus’ name!