The King of kings
Jesus says in John 17 that knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent is eternal life. Knowing God for Who He is is the most important thing any human being can do. To know Him is to allow Him to teach us Who He is through the Scripture, His Son Jesus and His Holy Spirit. This Christmas may we know the Word, commandments and precious promises, the loving grace and mercy and the awesome, majestic power and authority of God’s Prophet, Great High Priest and King of Kings.
The Perfect Prophet & Priest
Christmas is the time to celebrate Jesus, and to celebrate Him we need to know and appreciate Him. Studying His different offices is a helpful way of doing this. We’ve already looked at how He is the Word of God, He doesn’t just speak the Word of God, He is God speaking. We looked at how He is the One who saves, the Great High Priest who lives to intercede for us having laid His life down as a sacrifice for our sin.
John 12:49-50 ESV For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment — what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The coming King foretold
Now we can see Jesus in all His power, majesty and authority. He is not just Prophet and Priest, but He is King. The King of kings. The prophets who served Him and prepared us for His arrival clearly predicted His Sovereign reign.
Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
The arrival of the One King fulfilled
As always, what God’s Word foretells, happens just as He promises. Jesus was born in fulfilment of the prophecies of God’s anointed eternal King coming to take the throne of His ancestor David.
Luke 1:30-33 ESV And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. [32] He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, [33] and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Matthew 2:1-2 ESV 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 saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Two different receptions
The arrival of Jesus Christ elicited different responses from wise men and kings. Some travelled great distances to honour and worship Him. Others foolishly imagined they could resist His rule. We may not be able to do what either party did, but how do we welcome Christ as King?
Matthew 2:3-6 ESV When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; [4] and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. [5] They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: [6] “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Matthew 2:16 ESV Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.
Matthew 2:9-11 ESV After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. [11] And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Prophet, Priest and King - Three steps
When we look at the three office of Jesus Christ, it can describe our journey to faith in Him. It starts with the curiosity to hear His Word resulting in a grateful acceptance of His saving grace and culminates in a joyful surrender to His majestic authority.
Psalms 116:5-9 ESV Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful. [6] The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. [7] Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. [8] For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; [9] I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
The King of kings
How are we responding to the Sovereign Power and Authority of the King of kings, where are we? Is Christmas just a joyful social gathering, or is it a celebration of our surrender to the One and Only King of kings?
Revelation 17:14 ESV They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
1 Timothy 6:11-16 ESV But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. [12] Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. [13] I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, [14] to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, [15] which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, [16] who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.