The "Irregardless" King; Luke 23:1-5

Delivered during the Sunday Morning Worship Service, 11/16/2025. After judging and condemning Jesus, the Sanhedrin in unison takes Him to Pilate, who alone held the "power of the sword", and was therefore necessary to accomplish their evil intention to kill Jesus. We will notice how their accusations are not only false, but take a decidedly political tone, designed to strike a nerve in Pilate and thereby force him to accomplish their will. This will highlight the power struggle between Pilate and the chief priests, as the latter finds Jesus guilty of a crime deserving death and Pilate finds Him innocent. But the emphasis of the passage centers around Pilate's question to Jesus and Jesus' response. All four Gospels carry this exchange verbatim so we will look carefully at the words and realize Pilate is skeptical that this beaten and forsaken man who stands before him, without an army, resources or supporters, is truly a king and an imminent threat to Rome. But it is Jesus' response that crystalizes the fact that irregardless of His appearance, irregardless of His situation, and irregardless of His seeming lack of power and resources-- He is not only the King of the Jews, but Pilate's King as well! For this is the King of all peoples on earth, the King of all kings, and the transcendent King of all Creation. And although His humble appearance might be deceiving, He is your King as well-- irregardless.