21 Mar Who is the King? Part 1
Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” Matthew 27:11
As we examine the Kingdom, we must establish who the King is, because a kingdom is the extent of the rule of a king. It was prophesied in Genesis 49:10 that Jesus would rule with a king’s scepter. In John 12:14–15 we read of the humble King Jesus riding a donkey.48 When His enemies pressed a crown of thorns into His head, they were in fact revealing the truth. Additionally, Pilate’s mocking notice hung above Jesus as He was crucified; it read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”49
Following His resurrection and ascension to Heaven, Jesus is revealed throughout Revelation to be seated upon a throne, ruling and reigning as sovereign Lord over all creation, including all peoples, times, and places. The revelation of Jesus seated upon His throne appears no less than 45 times in Revelation. Truth and judgment come from this throne while worship, praise, glory, and adoration will go to His throne. By placing the throne of Jesus Christ at the center of creation and history, John is radically displacing humanity from the position it normally occupies; the goal of redemption and Kingdom is to orient all worship toward God, Creator and Redeemer.
Today, when we pray and sing to Jesus, it helps to remember that He is in glory. He is seated on a throne surrounded by angels and ruling with all power.
Do you struggle to see Jesus ruling and reigning as the King of kings? Why? Why not?
48 Cf. Zech. 9:9.
49 Matt. 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19.
