December 24, 2003

Reading: Psalm 149:1-9

 

“Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King” (2)

 

As sons of God, and therefore Abraham’s seed (Gal 4:26-29), we, the church of Jesus Christ, can read and claim the wonderful promises and exhortations made to Israel. He, whom the king of Israel acknowledged to be his King, is the King of all who believe in and love the Lord Jesus Christ.

When the wise men traveled to Jerusalem they had one question on their lips, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” Matt 2:2. For centuries, the Jews had been waiting for their Messiah, and, by divine revelation, the wise men knew He had been born. They came to Jerusalem because that was the obvious place for a king to be, but the chief priests, who knew their scriptures, referred to Micah 5:2, where it was prophesied the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

As I was recently reading the account of the birth of Jesus, I was impressed with the number of prophecies referred to and fulfilled in the first two chapters of Matthew. There are 5 such prophecies quoted from 4 different Old testament books—Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Hosea 11:1; Jeremiah 31:15. Matthew 2:23 “He shall be called a Nazarene,” is not found the Old Testament, but refers to several Messianic prophecies such as Judges 13:5 and Isaiah 11:1. This sets a trend for the rest of the New Testament where Jesus and the Apostles constantly quote the Old Testament as confirmation for Christian practices and doctrine. What an amazing work the Holy Spirit has accomplished by coordinating 40 authors in 66 books into one consistent, complete account of the plan and purpose of God for mankind and his redemption.

Who then is this King of the Jews? When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” they said John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets (Matt 16:15). No one thought He was the King of the Jews. When He asked the disciples what they thought, Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” Matt 16:16. When angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, they said, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” Luke 2:11. Joseph was given a similar message, “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins" Matt 1:21.

It is clear the Jews, although waiting and looking for the Messiah, were expecting a King, not a Savior. It is not surprising therefore that “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” John 1:11. Right up to the time of Jesus’ ascension, the disciples were still confused on this issue (Acts 1:6). This is not to say that Jesus did not come as King, for when Pilate asked Him if He was the King of the Jews, He said, “It is as you say” Luke 23:3.

What a wonderful conclusion to the revelation of Jesus when it is written, “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!” Rev 15:3; “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings” Rev 17:14; “And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” Rev 19:16.

To the question, “Where is He that has been born King of the Jews?” we can rightly say, He is seated on His throne at the right hand of His Father. May we as confidently testify that He reigns in our heart, to whom we gladly pledge our fealty and allegiance. “Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.”