King

The word king transports Americans into an unfamiliar world. U.S. citizens vote for or against candidates for office. If the official performs poorly, he or she can be voted out of office. Monarchy is a different political reality from democracy. Kings are not elected. By hereditary right a king assumes the throne and is monarch for life. The king is sovereign; he has the authority and power to carry out his decisions, and his will must be obeyed. When monarchs ruled the nations, they were said to do so by the “divine right of kings,” meaning God placed the monarch on his throne.

In the Old Testament, kings were referred to as “shepherds” (see Ezekiel 34; Mic. 5:1, 4) and had the responsibility to care for, protect, and lead the people of the nation. The king as shepherd was to be a responsible leader who served the people under God’s authority. The people were not to be abused for the king’s benefit; the king was to bless the people.

Israel’s experience of monarchy was inconsistent. David was a king after God’s own heart, but Solomon turned from God to enhance his own power and comfort. Over the years, more kings followed idols than followed Jehovah, to the nation’s decline. Even when Israel’s king was good, he died eventually. At the time of Jesus’ birth, the tyrannical Herod the Great reigned over Israel. “Kings is mostly rapscallions” is what Mark Twain said through Huck Finn, and history supports the conclusion. Of course, he was speaking of human kings.

At Jesus’ birth, only the Magi spoke of Him as a king (Matt. 2:2), although Mary knew that God would give her Son the throne of His father David (Luke 1:32). When he was called to discipleship, Nathanael referred to Jesus as “the King of Israel” (John 1:49). “Son of David” was how some persons addressed Jesus (Matt. 12:23; 15:22; Luke 18:39), and at His triumphal entry, the people shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David” (Matt. 21:9, 15). As the Son of David, Jesus was and is rightful heir to the throne God promised to King David (2 Sam. 7:11b, 16).

Israel’s prophets wrote about a coming king, in the line of David, one who had all the right qualities and character of royalty:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6–7

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. . . . He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace.

Micah 5:2, 4–5

According to Isaiah and Micah, the coming King belongs to David’s line and this King will rule according to God’s character and law. Peace will be the hallmark of this King’s reign, and the people He rules will enjoy justice, righteousness, and security. “The government will be on his shoulders” implies that this King alone is responsible for governing and that He alone has authority to reign. Here is a King to be trusted and honored! This is King Jesus.

What kind of king is King Jesus?

King Jesus defeats His enemies and He defeats them so they stay defeated. Jesus has conquered sin, death, Satan, and hell. King Jesus establishes peace, not only ending war but providing adequate resources for His people. Jesus is a King who loves His people. He graciously meets their needs, heals their wounds, and hears and answers their requests. The subjects of King Jesus always have access to Him. King Jesus secures justice for His people. Legally justice means resolving differences fairly; law and grace are always perfectly balanced in King Jesus’ court. Justice in the Old Testament includes a relational dimension. Under King Jesus, His subjects don’t merely coexist, they thrive together. King Jesus is wise. He doesn’t always reveal what He is doing and He works at many levels of life simultaneously to achieve His purposes over time. He knows the end from the beginning, so His plans always work to perfection.

The reign of King Jesus is eternal. Because His position is permanent, His subjects don’t have to worry about changes in policy or law. King Jesus lives forever, so there is no worry about His growing old or dying. Under King Jesus, there will be glorious, multifaceted continuity. Jesus is the only King who is worthy of worship forever. He suffered for our sake on the cross and rose again to give life eternal. King Jesus is His people’s treasure, their source of endless joy and eternal delight.

How should we act in the presence of a king? Reverently—with open ears and closed mouth. Submissively—the proper posture in the presence of the King is to kneel. And boldly—Jesus is the King who loves us, who knows us completely. He wants us to enjoy a respectful intimacy with Him. (What is it like at your church when you enter the sanctuary for worship? Is there a sense of the King’s presence?)

King Jesus is without equal and He tolerates no rival. Only Jesus truly has the “divine right” of kings because only He is fully God and fully human, the rightful heir of David’s throne. He is “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev. 19:16). All hail King Jesus!

 See: David, Genealogy, Immanuel, Messiah, Prophecy