King of Kings
DALLAS WHITE
Scripture Readings:
Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
John 18:33-37
Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about me?” 35 “I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 “My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
1 Timothy 1:15-17
This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 19:11-16
Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and he judges and makes war with justice. 12 His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. 14 The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. 15 A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. 16 And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Commentary:
Our Soon-Coming King
Your King Is Coming. The people of Israel had been longing with hope for their Messiah to rise like the dawn on the darkness of their oppression. It had been over 500 years since the prophet Isaiah prophesied of the coming deliverer who would establish his kingdom and peace by the power of God. Imagine centuries going by with no word from God and no fulfillment of His promise in sight.
Had God forgotten His people? Had they sinned so much that He abandoned His promise of rescue? The people wondered and waited.
Your King Has Come. Into the void of their waiting, God spoke. God’s Word says that when the fullness of time came - at the right time - God sent forth his Son into the world to save His people from their sins and to usher in His kingdom (Galatians 4:4). The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news (Mark 1:15)!
Into the darkness of their suffering and their longing, the sun of righteousness rose with healing in its wings. But this King looked nothing like they thought He would. He came in humility, born in the meekness of a manger. Though angels announced His arrival, earthly fanfare never followed. He wasn’t the King they wanted; but He was the King they needed.
The High King of Heaven emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8). What kind of King comes to die? Only an eternal King confident in sovereign power over sin and death would willingly lay down His life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever!
Your King is Coming Again! He was not abandoned in Hades, and his flesh did not experience decay. God raised Jesus and exalted to Him to the place of prominence at His right hand. Yes, this King who was crucified has been raised (Acts 2:32-36). He is the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5).
So today, don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in the King — Christ Jesus — who has gone ahead to prepare a place for you. He has promised to come again so that where He is, we may be also (John 14:1-4). And He is coming soon (Revelation 22:7)!
Prayer & Reflection:
Father, as we set aside time this Christmas season to celebrate Your Son’s first coming, make us mindful that He is coming again. Fill us with hope as we anticipate our soon-coming King!