Christ the King
Kings have ultimate authority and power to make decisions and set boundaries.
Throughout the Old Testament, we see kings rising and falling, each a symbol of humanity's relentless pursuit of control. However, the Bible paints a unique portrait of Israel as a nation with God as its king. Instead of a mortal ruler, God appointed prophets, priests, and judges to guide His people. This was strange for the ancient world but it was God’s way of setting his people apart. Yet, over time, Israel got antsy. They wanted a visible king, someone they could see and touch, just like their neighbors had. Logically, this made sense! If Israel’s enemies saw that they didn’t have a leader set up, it would make them primed and ready for an attack. But God wanted His people to trust Him, to know that He would fight for them, even without a tangible king.
So, God, being the gracious God He is, gave them what they begged for. Saul was anointed as the first king of Israel. Tall, dark, and handsome – he looked the part. Unfortunately, he was also disobedient, stubborn, and mentally disturbed. But God had bigger plans. He directed David to be anointed as the next king, from whose bloodline a greater king would emerge. In 2 Samuel 7:16, God promises David that’
“Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”
Throughout Jesus’s life and ministry, many people identified him as this promised king. The first story we read about Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew is about Magi searching for Jesus the newborn King. Later in John’s Gospel, Jesus miraculously feeds five thousand people, igniting excitement about His identity. John says,
“Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.” (John 6:15)
Jesus IS the promised prophet, priest, and king. But the power and weight of those titles was beyond anyone’s immediate understanding. Jesus' kingship transcended earthly expectations; He came not to wield power for personal gain. The crowd wanted a king for the reasons their ancestors did. They wanted someone with the power to do things for them like crush the people they didn’t like or drive out their enemies. But Jesus came to be a King who set the boundaries for sin and Death; one with the power to drive back darkness. It was the deeper problem that symptoms like Empire and selfishness stem from.
That’s the irony behind Jesus’ glorification. Everyone, even the disciples, thought that “glory” meant wealth, status, and influence (Mark 10:35-45). But “glory” in Ancient Greek literally means “weight”. So, instead of being crowned with flashy gold and sitting on a throne, Jesus, the King of the Universe, was crowned with thorns, nailed to a cross, and lifted up for all to see. A sign is placed above his head mocking his kinship. The king has chosen not be a statuesque dictator, but a servant humbling himself to the point of Death. It seemed like a failure to many. But, his apparent defeat was the culmination of a divine purpose. Easter morning shattered expectations as Jesus rose from the dead, wielding power over sin and Death itself. But he didn’t just rise up for himself. Ephesians 2:4-5 says,
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
That same power is available to us! Through His resurrection, Jesus extends this victory to humanity, granting authority over death and instilling hope. Fear and the desire for control dissipate in the assurance of God's sovereignty. In relinquishing control, we find true liberation and trust in the reigning King who conquered death itself.
“Jesus: Prophet, Priest, and King.” Loyola Press, 28 Apr. 2020, www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/scripture-and-tradition/jesus-and-the-new-testament/who-do-you-say-that-i-am-names-for-jesus/jesus-prophet-priest-and-king/.
Mackie, T., & Collins, J. (2015, August 27). How God Deals with Evil Without Destroying Humanity. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_OlRWGLdnw&t=317s
