The Name They Mocked, The King They Crowned
Have you ever been laughed at for your faith? Maybe someone teased you for praying or made fun of you for going to church. It hurts, doesn’t it? That feeling of being judged for what you believe.
But here’s the good news — you’re not the first. The earliest followers of Jesus went through the same thing.
1. The Insult That Became Our Identity
In the city of Antioch, people started calling them “Christians.” Today we wear that name with pride. But back then, it was a joke. People laughed and said, “Look at those little Christs — always talking about that man who died on a cross.”
Antioch was a thriving city — wealthy, busy, and full of idols. In that culture, people worshiped power, money, and pleasure. Then came this small group of believers who lived differently. They didn’t lie or cheat. They forgave freely. They cared for the poor. They shared what they had. They stood out. People didn’t understand them. Some were curious, but others mocked them, calling them Christianos — “little Christs.” That’s how the word Christian was born — out of sarcasm. But instead of being ashamed, they embraced it.
Peter later wrote,
The name that began as mockery became their identity. The world tried to label them, but God claimed it and said, “Yes — that’s who they are.”
The late theologian John Stott said: “To be a Christian is to share in Christ’s glory and in His shame.”
So, when someone mocks your faith, don’t be discouraged. It’s not rejection — it’s confirmation. You’re being recognized as someone who looks a little too much like Jesus. And that’s the greatest compliment of all.
2. The King Who Was Crowned in Mockery
Jesus Himself was mocked too. When He was crucified, soldiers made a crown out of thorns, jammed it on His head, and bowed in fake honor saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”. They thought they were humiliating Him — but they were actually proclaiming the truth. That’s the way God works. He takes what the world means for shame and turns it into glory.
Now picture Jesus in Jerusalem. He’s been beaten and ridiculed. Soldiers twist a crown of thorns, press it into His head, and throw a purple robe over His bleeding shoulders. Then they kneel in fake worship and laugh: “Hail, King of the Jews!”. It was supposed to be funny. A cruel joke. But heaven saw something different. Even as they laughed, they were proclaiming who He really was — the King of Kings.
Author C.S. Lewis captured it perfectly:
“They were not merely mocking a man; they were crowning the King of the universe without knowing it.”
What looked like humiliation was actually enthronement. The crown of thorns became a symbol of divine love. The cross - meant for shame - became the greatest sign of victory.
That’s what God does. He takes pain and turns it into purpose. He takes the moments that break us and makes them beautiful. So, if people laugh at your faith, remember - they laughed at Jesus too. But His story didn’t end in laughter. It ended in resurrection.
3. When Mockery Meets Mission
Jesus never fought back when people mocked Him. He didn’t shout or argue. He stayed calm and full of love because His mission wasn’t to destroy His enemies - it was to save them.
After His resurrection, His followers did the same. They went from town to town preaching the gospel. They were laughed at, beaten, imprisoned, and even killed. But they didn’t stop.
Jesus had told them in Matthew 5:11–12:
They believed those words. Every insult became a reason to keep going. Every act of hate became a chance to show love.
The early church leader Tertullian said:
The more people tried to silence them, the louder their message grew. That’s because real faith doesn’t crumble under pressure - it shines. When mockery meets mission, the mission wins. And that same mission continues today - through you, through me, through anyone who bears the name “Christian” with courage and grace.
Full Circle
Let’s bring this story full circle. They mocked the disciples and called them Christians - but that name became a badge of honor. They mocked Jesus and called Him King of the Jews - but He rose as King of Kings. The same God who turned their laughter into glory can turn your pain into purpose.
So, when the world mocks your faith, hold your head high. You’re walking the same road He walked - and that road doesn’t end in shame. It ends in victory.
Final Thought
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor who was killed for his faith during World War II, once said:
Following Jesus was never meant to be easy — but it’s always worth it. And maybe this is the best way to end:
When the world mocks a Christian, heaven smiles — because what the world calls foolish, God calls victorious.
But here’s the good news — you’re not the first. The earliest followers of Jesus went through the same thing.
1. The Insult That Became Our Identity
Acts 11:26 – “The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
In the city of Antioch, people started calling them “Christians.” Today we wear that name with pride. But back then, it was a joke. People laughed and said, “Look at those little Christs — always talking about that man who died on a cross.”
Antioch was a thriving city — wealthy, busy, and full of idols. In that culture, people worshiped power, money, and pleasure. Then came this small group of believers who lived differently. They didn’t lie or cheat. They forgave freely. They cared for the poor. They shared what they had. They stood out. People didn’t understand them. Some were curious, but others mocked them, calling them Christianos — “little Christs.” That’s how the word Christian was born — out of sarcasm. But instead of being ashamed, they embraced it.
Peter later wrote,
“If you suffer as a Christian, don’t be ashamed. Thank God that you bear that name.”
(1 Peter 4:16)
The name that began as mockery became their identity. The world tried to label them, but God claimed it and said, “Yes — that’s who they are.”
The late theologian John Stott said: “To be a Christian is to share in Christ’s glory and in His shame.”
So, when someone mocks your faith, don’t be discouraged. It’s not rejection — it’s confirmation. You’re being recognized as someone who looks a little too much like Jesus. And that’s the greatest compliment of all.
2. The King Who Was Crowned in Mockery
Matthew 27:29 – “And kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’”
Jesus Himself was mocked too. When He was crucified, soldiers made a crown out of thorns, jammed it on His head, and bowed in fake honor saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”. They thought they were humiliating Him — but they were actually proclaiming the truth. That’s the way God works. He takes what the world means for shame and turns it into glory.
Now picture Jesus in Jerusalem. He’s been beaten and ridiculed. Soldiers twist a crown of thorns, press it into His head, and throw a purple robe over His bleeding shoulders. Then they kneel in fake worship and laugh: “Hail, King of the Jews!”. It was supposed to be funny. A cruel joke. But heaven saw something different. Even as they laughed, they were proclaiming who He really was — the King of Kings.
“Therefore, God lifted Him up to the highest place and gave Him the name above every name.”
Philippians 2:9
Author C.S. Lewis captured it perfectly:
“They were not merely mocking a man; they were crowning the King of the universe without knowing it.”
What looked like humiliation was actually enthronement. The crown of thorns became a symbol of divine love. The cross - meant for shame - became the greatest sign of victory.
That’s what God does. He takes pain and turns it into purpose. He takes the moments that break us and makes them beautiful. So, if people laugh at your faith, remember - they laughed at Jesus too. But His story didn’t end in laughter. It ended in resurrection.
3. When Mockery Meets Mission
Jesus never fought back when people mocked Him. He didn’t shout or argue. He stayed calm and full of love because His mission wasn’t to destroy His enemies - it was to save them.
After His resurrection, His followers did the same. They went from town to town preaching the gospel. They were laughed at, beaten, imprisoned, and even killed. But they didn’t stop.
Jesus had told them in Matthew 5:11–12:
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because your reward is great in heaven.”
They believed those words. Every insult became a reason to keep going. Every act of hate became a chance to show love.
The early church leader Tertullian said:
“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”
The more people tried to silence them, the louder their message grew. That’s because real faith doesn’t crumble under pressure - it shines. When mockery meets mission, the mission wins. And that same mission continues today - through you, through me, through anyone who bears the name “Christian” with courage and grace.
Full Circle
Let’s bring this story full circle. They mocked the disciples and called them Christians - but that name became a badge of honor. They mocked Jesus and called Him King of the Jews - but He rose as King of Kings. The same God who turned their laughter into glory can turn your pain into purpose.
So, when the world mocks your faith, hold your head high. You’re walking the same road He walked - and that road doesn’t end in shame. It ends in victory.
Final Thought
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor who was killed for his faith during World War II, once said:
“When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”
Following Jesus was never meant to be easy — but it’s always worth it. And maybe this is the best way to end:
When the world mocks a Christian, heaven smiles — because what the world calls foolish, God calls victorious.
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