Reflection: What a King! (November 24, 2013)

Christ the King Sunday
Malachi 3:13-18; Colossians 1:13-20; Luke 23:27-43

“What a King!” the people of Israel might have said as a complaint about how the Lord was dealing with the evil people in their midst. They knew God’s warnings that He would not tolerate those who rebelled against Him. But they also knew that people doing evil things weren’t facing God’s wrath but were prospering. They questioned why they should serve and obey Him when those who did evil “not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape” (Malachi 3:15). What kind of King puts up with such insolence and arrogance?

“What a King!” captures the disgust and disappointment of those who gathered at the Cross of Jesus. Mocked, beaten, and crucified, Jesus didn’t look anything like a king — and certainly not the king that they wanted for themselves. They were looking for a warrior king who would destroy their enemies and free them from the Romans. But the words “This is the King of the Jews” were posted over Him by the Roman governor to mock the Jewish people, who, in turn, mocked and insulted Jesus. “If you are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” they screamed. What kind of king would allow such abuse?

“What a King!” is the underlying attitude toward Jesus in our culture. Immersed in self-centeredness, entitlement, and excessive freedom, we have no place for kings in our lives. But if we did, we’d choose a far better king than Jesus; one who would promise what we desire, tell us what we want to hear, and guarantee our prosperity. In contrast, Jesus calls us to suffering and sacrifice, to deny ourselves, serve others, and live in humility. What a king!

Jesus is not the king that the world wants, but He is the King that it needs. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:13). The callous inscription above Him on the Cross was ironically true, but not the whole truth. Jesus is not only the king of the Jews but He is the king of all people, even those who mock, ridicule, and reject Him. He holds the keys to death and hell as well as the keys to His Kingdom of Grace. When He returns in glory “every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil. 2:10–11). In fear or in joy, every person, every ruler, every world leader from every age of humanity will bow down to Jesus. What a King!

Click here to listen to the sermon "What a King!" (or right-click to download the MP3 file).