Day 190: Luke 22:63–71

They all asked, “Are You, then, the Son of God?” And He said to them, “You say that I am” (v. 70).

I remember a childhood game I tried to avoid at all costs. It was called King of the Mountain. The players established a high place of some kind as the “mountain.” The “king” was the one who could defend his territory by kicking or pushing anyone who came near him. It was a mean game. But it was nothing compared to the real-life King of the Mountain contest that took place between Pilate, Herod, the self-promoting religious leaders . . . and the true King Jesus, the One and Only.

As you picture every moment of these “mock court” proceedings in Luke 22, don’t lose sight of these words in verse 70: “Are you then the Son of God?” Imagine every event unfolding on a large-screen TV, and during the entire ordeal these words scroll boldly across the bottom of the scene: “The Son of God.” The irony is this: the only reason Christ was standing in front of them was because He was exactly who they “tried” Him for being. Though His accusers couldn’t see the truth for themselves, Christ was found guilty of being the Son of God. They would end up releasing the insurrectionist and crucifying the Savior of the world.

Aren’t you thankful humanity can “try” Christ for being anything they choose, and yet He is who He is? No amount of disbelief can change Him or move Him. Why did the chief priests and teachers of the law disbelieve? Why couldn’t they accept their Messiah? Because they wanted to be king of the mountain.

And so our Savior was stripped. Mocked. Spat upon. Struck . . . again and again. Flogged. Beyond recognition. The fullness of the Godhead bodily. The bright and morning Star. The Alpha and Omega. The anointed of the Lord. The beloved Son of God. The radiance of His Father’s glory. The Light of the world. The Hope of glory. The Lily of the valley. The Prince of peace. The Seed of David. The Son of righteousness. The blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Emmanuel. The With of God.

The most terrifying truth a mocking humanity will ever confront is that no matter how Jesus is belittled, He cannot be made little. He is the King of the mountain.