Focusing On JesusAs Lord and King

We have come to a time of year when much to-do will be made about baby Jesus. In truth, one cannot be sorry that Jesus chose to wear a robe of flesh and personally come to effect our rescue. Yet even the briefest glance at scripture reveals the precious little emphasis upon Jesus as an infant and the over-riding concern that we see Jesus as Lord, as King. A study along these lines can be tremendously challenging.

The Gospels plainly emphasize Jesus as King. From beginning to end the biographies of Christ are stamped indelibly, ""The Life and Times of King Jesus."" When He was born, the interest was in ""Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?"" (Matt. 2:2). When He died, it was because, in Roman eyes, He answered Pilate's question ""Are You the King of the Jews?"" (Matt. 27:11) positively. For certain, Jesus was a special kind of king. He refused earthly honors (John 6:15) and informed Pilate clearly ""My kingdom is not of this world"" (Jno. 18:36). He served others selflessly and without hesitation (see John 13), but make no mistake about it: He was and is King. In the Triumphal Entry Jesus deliberately acted as the prophecy had said Israel's king would: ""Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey's colt"" (Jn. 12:15). He accepted the term ""Lord"" in everyday conversation (cf. John 20:28) and was worshiped (Matt. 8:2; 15:25) because He was not only the Lord but also the Messiah. So we have a king like the world had never seen before: a Servant-Sovereign. This One had come to serve and save, yet had the right to command, rule and expect instant obedience. This is Christ (Messiah) the King (Lord).

New Testament preaching centered on Jesus as King. In the very first gospel sermon ever preached this is the key note. Peter quotes the 110th Psalm concerning David's Lord, identifies that Lord as Jesus (Acts 2:34) and then hammers home the point: ""Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ"" (2:36). Such preaching is repeated everywhere the gospel is proclaimed (see Acts 3:22; 7:59; 9:5; 10:36; 16:31; 28:31). In apostolic preaching it was never enough to proclaim Jesus as Savior. To talk of Jesus as Messiah always paved the way for preaching about Jesus as King and His wonderful kingdom.

Incidentally, all schemes that have Jesus returning to earth to set up an earthly kingdom necessarily do so at the cost of Jesus' Sovereignty. To say that He failed to set up His kingdom when here in the first century but that someday Jesus will establish that physical kingdom is to say clearly and forcefully that Jesus is not now King. Premillenialism teaches that Jesus will be King some day but He is not now for He has no kingdom. What a contrast to scripture's plain teaching that Jesus rules even now as King over His spiritual Kingdom, the saved. ""He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love"" (Col. 1:13).

Real Christianity lives out the truth that Jesus is King. Luke tells us that Jesus once asked ""But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?"" (Luke 6:46). Never has a passage better exposed the false religions of today! To acknowledge that Jesus is Lord is to admit that we must do as He says. Allegiance to Baby Jesus is easy. Commitment Jesus is much more difficult, for I must change how I live, what I do, even the very priorities of my life. Indeed, to say Jesus is King is to say that I cannot change the work of the church to suit me. I cannot add recreation, politics, social welfare programs or anything else that the King has not authorized (Col. 3:17). To say ""Jesus is Lord"" while living in rebellion to Him is hypocrisy at its worst. It is past time that people quit parroting a religious cliche (""Jesus is Lord"") and started living out its very important meaning.

In a society far removed from kings, queens and monarchies we may fail to grasp what is meant when the Bible simply speaks of ""the Lord Jesus Christ."" Yet in New Testament days the might, authority, and power of the Caesar were easily understood. New Testament Christians recognized a greater King, and served Him as a Monarch must be served and honored. May 21st century Christians be more impressed with the importance of serving Jesus like that: as Lord and King.