Messiah: Born a King

“Your house and Your kingdom will endure forever before Me; Your throne will be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16. NIV). “ ‘You are a king, then,’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37, NIV). “Grace and peace to you from Him Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come, and from the seven spirits before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father—to Him be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:4-6. NIV).

Amazingly, Nathan the prophet had a vision in which he saw the Lord God establishing the kingdom of David forever. When Nathan told David, the king had some thoughts of his own concerning the prophecy. “Is this Your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign Lord?” (2 Samuel 7:19b. NIV). David, though keenly conscious of God’s abounding grace, could not quite fathom how his own lineage would produce a ruler who would redeem the people. And we could answer David’s question: “No. To send His only begotten Son was not God’s usual way of dealing with man. That was His Supreme way!” Thus did the idea of an earthly Messiah gain momentum until it became a beacon for the nation in all of its troubles—during times of war, captivity and restoration. Little did the people realize how magnanimous, multi-generational and majestic the promise of Sovereign King was! And from the time of the earliest Old Testament prophecies concerning Messiah King until the day when the promise will be completely consummated in the Second Coming of the Lord, the fulfillment of this promise has been anticipated. Already a major phase of the promise has been fulfilled. He lived among us in perfect estate, sinless and full of righteousness. When time for the sacrifice of His life came, He was “without spot or blemish,” a perfect Lamb, worthy to be offered for the sins of the world. That fact, accomplished and approved by God, can be accepted on the faith of any believer, even you and I! Oh! How God has worked a new work among us! At Christmas we sing many carols that celebrate the King’s coming. Turn to any of the carols about the Savior’s birth and read the words prayerfully and reverently. You will see how the idea of God with us, the King of Kings, struck wonder in the minds of countless poets—and so this magnificent knowledge still inspires awe. Mary MacDonald (1789-1872) captured the wonder in her lyrics “Child in the Manger,” not one of our most familiar carols set to the music of an old Gaelic melody, but majestic and meaningful: “Prophets foretold Him,/Infant of wonder;/Angels behold Him/On His throne; /Worthy our Savior/Of all our praises;/Happy forever/Are His own!” Amen!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Tuesday, December 21, 2010