On the Sunday before Easter we see our Lord making his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, offering himself as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy; and as the King who alone can bring peace and harmony to human hearts. How have you treated the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Matthew's gospel presents Jesus Christ, the Savior, as the King whom the people of God had been expecting as the fulfillment of messianic prophecy.
Matthew 2:2 tells us that Christ was born to be king. The magi from the East came seeking a mysterious baby "born King of the Jews." In his infancy our Lord was recognized as a king by these mysterious magi, and he was treated as a king by the wicked Herod. Herod saw him a rival for the throne and plotted to bring about his death (Matthew 2:13).
We know that Christ was anointed to be a king. At his baptism the heavens opened revealing the King's realm of authority (Matthew 3:16). The Holy Spirit descended as a dove indicating the spiritual nature of Christ's reign. And the voice from heaven was the voice of the eternal God revealing the divine favor of the Almighty on this King and his kingly program.What program was this? Christ explained the principles and the program of his kingdom in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).
In addition, Christ demonstrated his kingship in many areas of authority. Our Lord exercised kingly authority over nature. The winds obeyed his command, and the waves of the sea granted his wishes. Our Lord exercised kingly authority over disease. At his word or at his touch, healing came to those who suffered. Our Lord exercised kingly authority over the demonic world. He resisted and overcame the temptations of the devil. He exercised authority over demons, commanding them to depart from those who were demon-possessed.
Our Lord exercised kingly authority over death. He restored life to the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:35-43). He raised to life the son of a widow (Luke 7:11-17). He raised Lazarus back to life (John 11:38-44). Our Lord was later to conquer death and the grave, coming forth triumphant and victorious.
We know that Christ died as a king. In satire and cruelty the Roman soldiers covered our Lord in a purple robe and bowed before him saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" (John 19:3). Pilate instructed those who crucified Jesus to the superscription "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" (John 19:19) on his cross to indicate the crime of which he was accused and for which he was dying. Ironically, never did Pilate speak words of greater truth than when he recognized Jesus Christ as "the King of the Jews."
Christ's death at the hands of wicked men appeared to be a great triumph for the forces of evil, but in reality it was a conquest of evil by the powerful King of love and grace. Death could not hold him, and the grave could not conceal him. Yes, Christ conquered death as a king.
Lastly, following his resurrection our Lord assumed kingly authority on a universal scale (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus says that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to him. We need to recognize and respond to his authority. As believers in Jesus Christ, as followers of the Lord, and as children of the King, we need to treat him as the King who alone can bring about peace, purpose, power, and plenty in our lives.
In closing, this year on Palm Sunday ask yourself, "How have I treated the King?" We can be grateful that we have not treated him as Herod did. We can rejoice that we have not treated him as did the soldiers. We can find peace in the fact that we have not mistreated the King as did Pilate.
One day the King will return in all his glory and power for those who have trusted him and who love him. We would be wise to receive him as the King and treat him as an honored guest in our heart and life. We would be wise to listen to him and follow his teachings and his commandments. We should trust him as our dearest and most precious friend.
We should obey him as the Lord of unquestioned and immeasurable love. We should follow him as our divine and infallible leader. He can bring peace and joy into our hearts only when when we make him sovereign Lord and King in every area of our lives.
Scripture: John 12:13; Acts 8:36-38; Luke 19:30; John 12:15; John 12:9-19; 1 John 5:3
Now, let's pray...
O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen
Until next time...
Have a blessed week!
Bibi
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