By 9:00 AM, Jesus had already endured unimaginable suffering. He had been beaten, flogged, and mocked. A crown of thorns was placed on His head, not gently, but with the intent to inflict pain. His body was physically breaking down under the weight of the cross, and He struggled to carry it to Golgotha, the place of His execution. Along the way, He was ridiculed, spit on, and taunted by the crowds. At one point, He could no longer carry the cross, and a man named Simon of Cyrene was compelled to help.

When Jesus reached Golgotha, He was nailed to the cross—His hands and feet pierced by brutal nails, and lifted up for all to see. Above His head, a sign was placed: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” What began as an accusation by His enemies became a declaration of truth. Jesus is indeed the King of the Jews, but He is also the King of all creation, including you and me.

This moment at the cross forces us to ask ourselves: Who is Jesus to you? Is He merely someone who forgives your sins? That is certainly a part of who He is. Is He just your Savior, saving you from the punishment of sin? That is a wonderful truth, but it’s only part of the story. If Jesus is not also the Lord of your life, then you have not fully grasped the magnitude of His person.

Jesus came not only to save us from something, but also to save us to something. He is not a mere backup plan or a get-out-of-jail-free card. He is the Savior, and He is the Lord. He is the one who deserves our allegiance, our trust, and our full devotion.

As you reflect on the cross, think about what your life says about who Jesus is to you. If a sign were placed above your life, what would it declare? I encourage you to make Jesus not only your Savior but also your Lord, recognizing that He has come to transform your life completely.