Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

10 June 2025

Reading From John 19:1-22

“Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.”

Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”—John 19:19-22

The story of the trial and crucifixion of our Lord breaks me every time I read it or see it portrayed. A protective instinct surges up within me and makes me want to leap through history and defend Him. And yet I know that He had to drink from that cup in order to make redemption available for the whole world.

An inscription was found in 1961 in Caesarea Maritima that confirms the name of Pontius Pilate, his position and where he governed from. There is so much archaeology that confirms the Bible and supports its authority as the Word of God. Pilate had the truth written upon the sign above the battered and bloody head of our King. He truly is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

“Wonderful Jesus, there is no one else like You. Matchless and holy is Your Name. You knew no sin and yet became sin for us, taking our penalty upon Yourself and conquering sin and death by Your own death and resurrection. Thank You Lord, from the bottom of my heart and with every fiber of my being, thank You. May I bring glory and honor to You alone, the Supreme God of the universe, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In the glorious Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.”

⁶ For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.—Isaiah 9:6-7