March 7th, 2026 Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

THE GOSPEL CANNOT BE SILENCED

Matthew 27:37 “Above His head they placed the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”  

When a crucifixion occurred, the reason for it was posted on the cross above the malefactor’s head. This was done in Jesus’ case as well. Pilate ordered that above Jesus’ head the inscription would say: “This is Jesus, The King of the Jews.”   

John, in his gospel, wrote, “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 19:20-22)   

The truth was written above Jesus’ head. God worked in Pilates heart to keep the truth posted rather than water it down. For over two thousand years these words have continued to be proclaimed to the world. Think what they say starting with the words, “This is Jesus. . .” They capture the message of the angel announcing to Mary she was to become pregnant and give birth to a son who she was to give the name Jesus. This name meant, “the one who saves” from which we today refer to Jesus as “Savior.” 

A ”king” rules over people. Jesus said of Himself, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18) Jesus as king: 1) “rules with His almighty power over all creation;” 2) “governs and protects especially His church (the kingdom of grace. . .;”) 3) and, “leads His church to glory in heaven (the kingdom of glory—the church in heaven”) Jesus is your King! 

Prayer: Jesus, as you rule over heaven and earth, grant me faith to follow You wherever you lead me even into heaven itself. In Your holy name. Amen. 

Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;  
Hark how the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own.  
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of Him who died for thee,  
And hail Him as thy matchless king
Through all eternity. 

Crown Him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born,  
Whose arm those crimson trophies won
Which now His brow adorn;  
Fruit of the mystic rose;
Yet of that rose the stem,
The root whence mercy ever flows,
The babe of Bethlehem. 

Crown Him the Lord of love.
Behold His hands and side,
Rich wounds, yet visible above,
In beauty glorified.
No angels in the sky
Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bend their wond’ring eyes
At mysteries so bright. 

Crown Him the Lord of life,
Who triumphed o’er the grave
And rose victorious in the strife
For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing,
Who died and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring
And lives that death may die. 

Crown Him the Lord of heav’n,
Enthroned in worlds above,  
Cown Him the king to whom is giv’n
The wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns
At thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns,
For He is king of all.

Crown Him with Many Crowns // LSB 525