King of Kings
Our God is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is sovereign and all of creation belongs to Him. The Psalmist declares: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and all those who dwell therein.” (Ps. 24.1) Do you see what this is saying? There is no private ownership here. There is no doing your own thing. God is in charge. In our democratic mindset, this affirmation is hard to understand. We revel in our self-determination and possessing stuff. No wonder so many have such a hard time renouncing their “rights” and “things”. It is hard to get off the throne of our lives and allow the King of kings to reign in our place.
Jesus’ message was about the Kingdom of Heaven being established on earth. Earth isn’t going to Heaven; Heaven is coming to earth. The key to all kingdoms is the king. At the time of Jesus’ birth, wise men came from the East to give homage to a king, not a prophet. King Harod tried to kill Jesus because He was a King. His arrival was a threat to all other rulers, because it meant ownership. The glory of a king is in the territory and people he possesses. One cannot be a king of nothing. The kingdoms of this earth are constantly trying to expand their territory through war and conquest. The bigger the territory and the greater the population the greater the king. King Nebuchadnezzar was called king of kings, because of the vast empire he ruled. (Dan. 2.37). King Solomon says in the Proverbs 14.28: “In a multitude of people is the glory of the king.” Jesus came as King of kings and Lord of lords.
We don’t make Jesus King by our praise or proclamations. We acknowledge Him as King and Lord. His throne is established forever, whether we recognize it or not. The Hebrew word for lord is: âdôn, which means owner, master and controller. A lord is the one who has dominion. From this word comes the title “Don”, which is used in many places to refer to a king. One cannot be a king without being a lord. In Psalms, chapter 2, we see the nations raging against the Lord. They plot in vain against His rule and claims to ownership. In verse 4 it says: “He who sits in the heavens laughs and the Lord holds them in derision.” In other words, if you claim you own what is the Lord’s, then He’ll mess with it to remind you it isn’t yours.
In a kingdom, the citizens are stewards, not owners. They have access to the wealth of the kingdom; their needs are met according to the riches of the kingdom, but they do not have ownership. If you say you are in the Kingdom of God and claim something as yours, then you are a thief. If you proclaim Jesus as your King and at the same time declare independence, then you are in rebellion. Sin is rebellion. All else, such as lying, stealing, murder, adultery, etc., is just evidence that you left the reign and rule of our Lord. Only in the Kingdom of God can you experience righteousness, peace and joy. It is under the rule of Christ that the love of money, possessions, which is the root of all evil, is destroyed.
Jesus is a benevolent King. He loves His people. He cares for their every need. His power and authority protects all those under His rule. In His kingdom, there is no poverty or lower class. All are sons and heirs. All have access to His wealth and share in the abundance of His house. As Peter says: “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a people for His own possession.” (I Peter 2.9) We are seated with Him in heavenly places. He made us kings, but He is the KING of kings.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Rev. 19.16; 17.14; I Tim. 6.15; Rom. 14.17; Heb. 12.28; Acts 17.24-28