JESUS IS KING!

INTRODUCTION

The current reign of Jesus should not be questioned by anyone, but it is. The body of Christ is regularly subjected to a variety of dogmas on this subject, some of which are damaging to the heart. The highest expression of God's love is found in the salvation of mankind.

Equally true, the highest expression of divine power and authority is found in finishing the work of salvation begun by Jesus Christ. He started the work by laying down His life. He is finishing the work by executing a righteous reign at the right hand of God. That reign is immediately related to the salvation He was sent into the world to accomplish. Any view of Christ's rule that supposes other priorities is seriously deficient.

THE AFFIRMATION: CHRIST IS KING

The Word of God is clear on this matter. The Lord Jesus Christ is an exalted and all powerful King NOW. We will find there to be no deficiency in His present reign. It is neither inferior nor ineffectual. We must be alert for any dogma that presents the Lord Jesus Christ as occupying a secondary role at this time. The Word of God is clear on this point, and we must be forward to accept: Jesus is exalted above all things at this present time.

Kingship announced to Mary

"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David. And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke 1:32-33).

Note the spirit relates His reign upon "the throne of His Father David" to His birth into the world. This was the appropriate time to announce His dominion! That reign is directly related to the great salvation He came to effect.

God has given everything to Jesus

One of the highest expressions of God's love is found in the salvation of mankind. Equally true, the highest expression of divine power and authority is found in finishing the work of salvation that has been begun by Jesus Christ. "All things are delivered unto Me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him" (Matt 11:27).

Scripture here relates Christ's possession of "all things" to men coming to know the true God. The primary work of God is not the subduing of inimical powers, but the revelation of Himself to men through His only begotten Son.

He has come into His kingdom

Christ's death and resurrection were the prelude to His reign. He presides over the seen and unseen worlds, exercising authority over ever personality. There is no realm where His reign does not extend, and no personality over which He does not presently dominate. "And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom" (Luke 23:42).

The penitent thief was convinced Jesus really was a King. With remarkable faith, he asked to be remembered favorably when Jesus took the reigns of His kingdom. Christ's answer dispels much of the confusion on this subject. "Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise" (v 43). Words have little meaning if that answer is not directly related to the thief's question! Jesus took the reins of the kingdom that very day!

Jesus is Lord of all

"The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all)" (Acts 10:36).

The clear implication of this text is this: if Jesus is not Lord of all, peace cannot be preached. There can be no peace unless One is exalted above all opposing forces. Peter does not say Jesus will be Lord of all, but that He IS Lord of all. It is not on the part of wisdom to affirm anything else.

He is "over all," and there are no exceptions, except the Father Himself (1 Cor 15:27). "Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, Who IS over all, God blessed for ever. Amen" (Rom 9:5). It is not possible to be "over all" and not reign. Being "over all" is what constitutes the reign.

Lord of the dead and the living

"For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living" (Rom 14:9). Christ's death and resurrection were the prelude to His reign. He presides over the seen and unseen worlds, exercising authority over every personality. There is no realm where His reign does not extend, and no personality over which He does not presently dominate. Notice, He died and arose to enter into that reign.

A name above every name

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil 2:9-11).

Jesus is not anticipating receiving a name above all other names, He has already received it! It only remains for His exaltation to become apparent to those upon the earth--everyone else knows! Possessing a name above all names equates to reigning. Jesus is not simply a figurehead.

He IS the King of kings

"Which in His times He shall show, Who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; Whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen" (1 Tim 6:15-16).

Jesus is presently the "only Potentate" or Sovereign. He has no competitors! He does not appear to many to presently occupy this position, but that is only because they are blind. God will soon "show" Him in this capacity to an assembled universe. Jesus will not then begin to be Sovereign, as some suppose. Today, there is no king or lord, despite their apparent authority, that is not under Christ. He is their King, whether they know it or not. He can put them down or raise them up at will.

The Prince of the kings of the earth

"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (Rev 1:5-6).

The arresting thing about this affirmation is its relation to our salvation. His sovereignty followed His resurrection, and is immediately associated with us being washed from our sins and constituted kings and priests unto God. Let no soul be reluctant to embrace these affirmations!

BORN TO BE A KING

"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice" (John 18:37).

Here Jesus speaks of His kingship is a remarkable way. Pilate is unable to relate to sovereignty that does not depend upon military power or political superiority. Earlier in this confrontation, Pilate asked Jesus if He were the "King of the Jews" (v 33). After asking Pilate if this were his "own idea" (v 35, NIV), Jesus revealed that His kingdom was "not of this world" (v 36). If it were, He declared, His servants would "fight." In such a case, the "fight" would not have lasted long, and Rome would not have won.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for a Savior who is reigning over all! When I sense the extent of my fall from Your glory, and the greatness of Your salvation, I glory in a Redeemer Who rules over all. Receive my praise, in Jesus' name.

-- MONDAY: THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL --