Good King Jesus

Scripture Reading:  John 1:1-14

In the United States, we do not know what it is like to live under a monarchy (the rule by a King or Queen). My ancestors on both sides all knew what it was like. They knew that the rule of one family can bless or alter adversely the affairs of many. In 1620, the Sampsons came to the shores of the New World. They boarded a small leaky vessel called the Mayflower. At the time, the voyage must have seemed like a desperate venture, now written into a once respected chapter of America's history. The Pilgrim's as they were called left what was dear to them in England because the King had made the practice of faith in Christ unlawful. Even after the colonies in America were established, the King still had chief control. His authority could be felt in every matter of life. Should the King have been fair then there would not have been any reason to desire a move away from his control. Interestingly, in the Revolutionary period of America, the control of the King was demanded heavily to which the common reply from many patriots was, "we have no King but Jesus Christ."

In the world of the Bible as well as in our semi recent past, the King was either loved or hated depending on how he saw the way of life should be for the common man. Most times the King became a tyrant, but in the case of the Kings of Judah, most feared the Lord God and it showed in their goodwill to the people.

Though you may feel yourself far removed from the monarchical system, you need to realize we are living under the Supreme Monarch. When people hear words like this, unbelievers scoff and say you are throwing in religion where a monarch is clearly something really on Earth. Such people are blinded to the confines of this planetary sphere. They can see nothing of what lies ahead or the divine world that is ever present among them. That is precisely why we have Christmas. It is the celebration of the One Who stepped out of the Divine and into the Earthly by being born in a humble fashion and then presenting the way for mortal men and women to come to His Divine Kingdom once we are finished living on this Earth. Poets and playwrights from all ages have tried to equate this true and awesome plan but they can never come to the real understanding and heart experience that comes from knowing Jesus Christ personally rather than academically. As you read this, many of you have trusted in this One who came as a babe to save us, yet some do not know. The remainder of this text will be joyous for both saint and sinner alike. For the saint, the graciousness of our King towards us is forever praiseworthy. For the sinner who has not trusted in Christ, this is the best liberating news that can ever be spoken to you.

This Christmas Day, here are three quick points that set apart King Jesus from all others:

First,  King Jesus has a heart that goes beyond His own interests.  Even the best of earthly Kings on their best day still in the deepest of their hearts look after number one.  After all, kings are powerful and the people under their control are just there to service him.  Yet Jesus sees the heart and hears the hurt.  Jesus not only rules over His creation, but one of the reasons why He loves His subjects is that He created them.  He not only created them to live on this Earth, moreover, He created them to live in His Kingdom in Heaven.  This love is so strong that it made Him leave all of His comforts far beyond our understanding, and step into this world.  Christ did not simply step into this world for all to see and laud as a typical king would do, but came to be one of us.  Not in effect, but literally become the lowliest of all His own subjects.  This is His heart for you and me.  Earthly rulers may make good choices for others benefits, but only King Jesus personally got involved.  Of course, His ultimate involvement was the sacrifice of His own life on the cross, there could be not a greater expression of selfless love.  But we tend to forget the sacrifice of just becoming and living as a man.  He put on vile flesh, lived in a disease infested smelly world.  He hungered, worked, laughed, wept, and did everything that we do, all because He desired to be our High Priest so that one day we would have an advocate who not only paid for our sins, but knew how desperate the mortal condition is.  No one but Jesus would dare to do this.  Romans 5:8 tells us that when no one else would consider the lowliest of creation worthy to die for, Christ died for us.

Second, King Jesus does not ignore any of His subjects for any reason.  It is the habit of mankind to play favorites.  In fact the best way to have favor with an earthly king was to prove your loyalty by act of gift.  Should the king like you, you were favored, if not, life was miserable at best.  However, King Jesus made no distinction.  Jesus does not have a partiality scale.  Romans 10:9-10 tells us that whoever comes to the Lord shall be saved from wrath to come.  John the Apostle who knew Jesus best recorded that whoever comes to Christ will not be turned away for any reason.  The foundation under this is the contrast between the strength of love and the strength of need.  Earthly kings favor certain individuals because they need their influence or wealth or loyalty to bolster the kingdom's success.  Christ needs no one, Christ CHOOSES us.  The kingdom of God does not rest on the pillars of human power.  Citizenship in Heaven is a privilege.  His shed blood covered every sin we commit so no one can possibly be left out.   If we are left out of His kingdom it is by our own choice.  The thief on the cross asked most simply and most profoundly, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  This was a request typical of subjects to monarchs, a plea for acceptance and mercy.  Bear in mind this was a man rightfully punished probably for murder or treason, yet King Jesus told him without reservation that the thief would be with the King in Paradise this very day.  No one is turned away from the Kingdom of the King of Kings.

Lastly, King Jesus fulfills His promises according to His own Word.  Whether we live under the rule of a monarch or an elected political official, their word is no good.  I don't mean this accusatory or condemning, but simply stated their word is no good because they don't have it within themselves to keep the truth.  This is not because they are political, its because they are sinful, as we all are.  The binding that holds all the promises of God together is because the King is God who cannot lie.  Should Christ forfeit a promise in any slight way, the Kingdom would be imperfect and alike to any other Earthly kingdom.  God's Word cannot be broken.  Christ not only always tells the Truth, but He is the TRUTH, the author of it and the fulfiller of it.  The Kings name in the Trinity of God is "The Word."  The promise of the Word was not just verbal but practical.  The promise of the Word was given and was carried out by its Author. 

Earthly kings promises have good intentions, but only God has perfect Truth behind it to enforce it.  That same Truth is the same guarantee that He makes to you and me.  Can you grasp hold of a stalwart never changing Truth?  The Truth is the definition of who King Jesus is and the confidence we have in Him is based on His unfailing perfection in Truth.  Jesus even made the assurance that not one small punctuation mark in all of His promises will not go unfulfilled when time is at an end.  Even if the promises of God seem far off from being fulfilled, know that in His time nothing promised will be left out.  Nothing in God's Word is placed for filler or embellishment, absolutely everything has meaning and purpose backed by His own Truth.

If your a Christian, we have much to rejoice over.  Just to think that our King is not like others that we have to wonder about or live in dread of.  Such a comfort it is to know that such a powerful King, who could use all of His might against us, chose to use all of His might for our good and benefit!  We have a home, a King and a Kingdom awaiting us when we die, can there be any better news?  

If you are not sure about your relationship to King Jesus, you can be.  The fact is, we are all sinners, lost and condemned to the dungeon of Hell.  This was already laid upon us before we were born because of Adam's sin.  BUT, King Jesus came into this world on the day we celebrate as Christmas just for you.  He lived, died on the cross and rose from the dead so that you wouldn't  have to face Hell for your sinful penalty.  He has an outstretched hand towards you.  He desires you become not a subject, but a son or daughter in His royal family.  You can be that today and forever by simply admitting you are a sinner and placing your faith in Him to pay the sin debt for you and trust in Him as your Lord and Savior.  Call upon Him to save you and He will.  You are the reason for His birth, don't shut Him out of your life.  

He who loved you so much is Your Friend, Savior and King.  

Praise the Lord for His wondrous love to the children of men.  Lift up your hearts in praise of His goodness and reign that we should be alive in Him and not condemned as we deserve.  Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.  Good King Jesus Christ. King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

How can we express our gratitude for Your matchless love!  Thank you that the King of Kings thinks and acts on our behalf.  We can be no greater a blessed people.  For eternity shall break forth upon us and the full wonder shall be ours through You Lord.  Accept our thanks  and praise and blessed be the day of Your birth.  Amen.