An Unconventional King

John Maclaurin, in his well known sermon Glorying in the Cross of Christ, explains the unusual way in which King Jesus appeared in the days of His flesh:

A King which the world admires is one of extensive power, with numerous armies, a golden crown and scepter, a throne of state, magnificent palaces, sumptuous feasts, many attendants of high rank, immense treasures to enrich them with, and various posts of honor to prefer them to.

Here was the reverse of all this:–For a crown, a crown of thorns; for a scepter, a reed put in His hands in derision; for a throne, a cross; instead of palaces, not a place to lay His head in; instead of sumptuous feasts to others, oftentimes hungry and thirsty Himself; instead of great attendants a company of poor fishermen; instead of treasures to give them, not money enough to pay tribute without working a miracle; and the preferment offered them, was to give each of them His cross to bear. In all things the reverse of worldly greatness from first to last; a manger for a cradle at His birth, not a place to lay His head sometimes in His life, nor a grave of His own at His death.1

1. John Maclaurin The Works of John Maclaurin (Glasgow: 1830) p. 418-419