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INTRODUCTION
	Read Luke 23:26-56

Luk 23:38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

I. WHAT WAS WRITTEN OVER HIS HEAD? It was customary in the days of Jesus to place a sign over the heads of persons crucified signifying what crime they committed. Oftentimes they wrote the criminal’s name. In Jesus’ case, Pilate was saying that Jesus’ crime was claiming to be the King of the Jews.

The purpose of the writing over his head was to shame him. Yet, he was not a convicted murderer, or thief. He was not an adulterer or even guilty of sedition. His shame was his glory! He was the King of the Jews! Here was a very glorious truth declared - that he is Jesus the King of the Jews, the King whom the Jews expected and ought to have submitted to! His accusation amounts to this: That he was the true Messiah and Saviour of the world; … so Pilate, instead of accusing Christ as a Criminal, he proclaimed him a King

II. WHAT WILL BE WRITTEN ACROSS HIS GARMENTS? Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (:12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (:13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (:16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

It was not unusual in olden days, for great persons in the eastern countries, to have magnificent titles written on their garments. It appears to have been an ancient custom among several nations to adorn the images of their deities, princes, victors at public games, and other eminent persons, with inscriptions, expressing either the character of the persons, their names, or some other circumstance which might contribute to their honor. I believe John was quite familiar with this practice, and, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, is putting all those “important” persons in their place.

III. WHAT IS WRITTEN UPON HIS HEART? Song 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

Just as it was customary to write a sign signifying the crime for which one was crucified, and just as it was customary to write great titles upon the garments of great men, it was also customary in some places to make impressions of various kinds upon the arms, the breasts, and other parts of the body. Some slight punctures are made, and a blue powder was rubbed over the place of the punctures, allowing it to get into the skin where it remains permanently. Have you seen such a thing? Today, we call it a “tattoo.”

In those days, one might even have drawn a picture of his bride on his arm. In our text, the woman, the bride, is asking her husband to tattoo her name upon his heart. The interpretation is easy: “Let me be thus written upon “thine heart;” and therefore not just constantly before thine eyes as a tattoo upon your arm, but forever upon your heart, where you will never forget me.

CONCLUSION: If you are a born-again believer, you are part of the church which is the “bride” of Christ. And your name is written upon his heart. Forever. If not, you are in peril of eternal separation from God and His Son. Forever.

APPLICATION: Is Jesus your King? Is he really the Lord of your life? The Bible tells us …

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Having your name written upon His heart is more important than anything else you'll ever have. The moment you trust in Jesus Christ's crucifixion as payment for your sins and believe that God raised him from the grave, making him your King of kings and Lord of lords, your name is permanently ascribed upon his heart. Forever.