Kings of kings

 KING OF KINGS

 

Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.

MATTHEW 2.2

 

At both the beginning and the end of Jesus’ physical life, Gentiles proclaimed His kingship. The wise men were the first non-Jews to seek out Jesus, and they came because the cosmos announced His birth in such a glorious manner that they concluded it must be for royalty.

Acknowledging the crime for which Jesus was being crucified, Pilate ordered that a placard be fastened to the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” The Jews themselves did not acknowledge Jesus as their King and wanted Pilate to change the sign, but he refused.

Despite their refusal to recognise Jesus’ kingship, Jesus is King. He came to rule what is rightfully His, both due to His lineage and His creation-ownership. Matthew dedicates the first part of Jesus’ narrative to His genealogy, carefully tracing His lineage to David’s royal blood. And Luke outlines Jesus’ family tree all the way back to Adam, son of God.

Perhaps the most fitting moment of worship in the New Testament is when Jesus entered Jerusalem victoriously riding on a donkey, the crowds praising God and shouting, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Lk 19.38). Although many in the crowd may not have understood that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world, such praise befits the King of kings, and we who have the benefit of the entire New Testament narrative have ample reason to bow our knees in praise and adoration.

Jesus came first as a humble King, but He will return as a warrior King to claim what is rightfully His. John tells us of the present reality in heaven: “On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev 19.16).

The King of Glory is not absent from His kingdom, He is patiently awaiting the time when He will come again to establish His kingdom.

We do not trifle with a weakling, nor do we worship an incompetent wannabe rock star. We worship the King of kings who deserves all honour and glory, and continually receives it from the heavens, creation, angels, and the chorus of His redeemed. Who is this King of Glory? His name is Jesus.

 

PRAYER

 

Most High King, You deserve all my honour and praise. Forgive me for the many times I’m so self centred that I’m in effect negating Your kingship. What a privilege to worship You. Thank You for the hope within us that we will someday worship You with the angels and the saints who have gone before us in Your glorious throne room. I can’t wait!

In Jesus’s name, Amen 

 

 

If you want to read more 

 

Zechariah 9.9, Matthew 2.2, Luke 19.37–44, John 19.15–19, 1 Timothy 1.17, 6.15, Revelation 15.3, 19.16