Jesus is King
Jesus is King. That phrase has been much in the news lately because of Kanye West. He has made a profession of faith and released a studio album by the same name. In fact, the top Google search results for “Jesus is King” are all about Kanye and his new album. But long before Google and long before Kanye, men were already searching for King Jesus. More than 2,000 years ago, a brilliant star appeared in the sky that announced the birth of a newborn King. Guided by that star, wise men from the East traveled to Jerusalem in search of Israel's long awaited Messiah.
Matthew 2:1–2 (NKJV) — 1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Christmas is the announcement that Jesus is King. But in what way is Jesus King? Is there a substantive reality to that claim, or is it just some abstract idea or ethereal mist? The presence of Christ’s kingdom is in fact a concrete reality. It has substance, it is something that we can touch, taste, feel, and see even now. Christ’s imprint on the world is so common that we take it for granted. The old expression, “Can’t see the forest for the trees” comes to mind.
For example, what year is it and how did we determine it? The year has been calculated by Christ’s birth. In the West, we actually mark time by the birth of the Savior. Your own birthdate is dated within the context and framework of Christ's birth.
Look around the world and you will see more evidence of Christ’s rule and reign. You will see schools, universities, and hospitals that have been established in His name. These institutions have had a positive ripple effect that has impacted the lives of countless individuals as well as cultures around the globe. You will also see a vast amount of charitable work done in His name. Dr. Jeremiah Johnston writes:
“Over 60 percent of the 46,000 agencies working with food banks nationwide are faith-based organizations. Simply put, America would starve if the church vanished.”[1]
Furthermore, because of His command, embassies of grace have been established to proclaim His gospel throughout the world.
These embassies have been established even in hostile territories. We call these embassies church; and these churches are full of ambassadors. We call those ambassadors Christians.
As Dr. Michael Brown commented:
“In fact, he [Jesus] already rules and reigns as a royal king over the lives of countless tens of millions of people from every nation under the sun. They give him their total allegiance and loyalty. His reign is already far greater and more influential than the reign of David himself. And that’s only the beginning; he will reign over all when he returns.”[2]
The reality of Christ is experienced daily in lives of believers globally. How is it that the Messiah from a small Jewish nation would become the living hope of innumerable Gentiles from every tribe, tongue, and nation? Remarkably, that reality was predicted in Scripture roughly 2,000 years ago.
Revelation 7:9–10 (NKJV) — 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Yes, one day Jesus will split the heavens and return physically to rule and reign on earth. After all, He did teach us to pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. But we mustn’t forget that even now Christ is Sovereign and He reigns over the affairs of man. Jesus will not be King someday, He is King of kings and Lord of lords this very day.
__________________
[1] Johnston, Jeremiah J.. Unimaginable: What Our World Would Be Like Without Christianity (p. 152). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
[2] Strobel, Lee. In Defense of Jesus: Investigating Attacks on the Identity of Christ (Case for ... Series) . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
Matthew 2:1–2 (NKJV) — 1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Christmas is the announcement that Jesus is King. But in what way is Jesus King? Is there a substantive reality to that claim, or is it just some abstract idea or ethereal mist? The presence of Christ’s kingdom is in fact a concrete reality. It has substance, it is something that we can touch, taste, feel, and see even now. Christ’s imprint on the world is so common that we take it for granted. The old expression, “Can’t see the forest for the trees” comes to mind.
For example, what year is it and how did we determine it? The year has been calculated by Christ’s birth. In the West, we actually mark time by the birth of the Savior. Your own birthdate is dated within the context and framework of Christ's birth.
Look around the world and you will see more evidence of Christ’s rule and reign. You will see schools, universities, and hospitals that have been established in His name. These institutions have had a positive ripple effect that has impacted the lives of countless individuals as well as cultures around the globe. You will also see a vast amount of charitable work done in His name. Dr. Jeremiah Johnston writes:
“Over 60 percent of the 46,000 agencies working with food banks nationwide are faith-based organizations. Simply put, America would starve if the church vanished.”[1]
Furthermore, because of His command, embassies of grace have been established to proclaim His gospel throughout the world.
Matthew 28:18–20 (NKJV) — 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
These embassies have been established even in hostile territories. We call these embassies church; and these churches are full of ambassadors. We call those ambassadors Christians.
2 Corinthians 5:18–20 (NLT) — 18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
“In fact, he [Jesus] already rules and reigns as a royal king over the lives of countless tens of millions of people from every nation under the sun. They give him their total allegiance and loyalty. His reign is already far greater and more influential than the reign of David himself. And that’s only the beginning; he will reign over all when he returns.”[2]
The reality of Christ is experienced daily in lives of believers globally. How is it that the Messiah from a small Jewish nation would become the living hope of innumerable Gentiles from every tribe, tongue, and nation? Remarkably, that reality was predicted in Scripture roughly 2,000 years ago.
Revelation 7:9–10 (NKJV) — 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Yes, one day Jesus will split the heavens and return physically to rule and reign on earth. After all, He did teach us to pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. But we mustn’t forget that even now Christ is Sovereign and He reigns over the affairs of man. Jesus will not be King someday, He is King of kings and Lord of lords this very day.
__________________
[1] Johnston, Jeremiah J.. Unimaginable: What Our World Would Be Like Without Christianity (p. 152). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
[2] Strobel, Lee. In Defense of Jesus: Investigating Attacks on the Identity of Christ (Case for ... Series) . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
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