The inscription, “Christ the King” is found on several edifices and sculptures. It is our belief that the right place for such an inscription should be in our hearts where Christ Jesus will forever remain as the King in every circumstance not counting the cost. The question on many lips and hearts is whether Christ Jesus is really the King of the universe or the world?
Pilate the governor asked Jesus in Matthew 27: 11; Mark 15: 2; Luke 23: 3; John 18: 33, “Are you the King of the Jews? Jesus said, “You say so.” Jesus’ answer had several meanings or interpretations. First, by Pilate’s question, he himself had made a voluntary admission or confessed knowledge of Jesus’ Kingship hence needed no answer from Jesus again. Second, Jesus’ answer was a rebuttal to Pilate’s malicious reference to Jesus’ Kingship of the universe to only the Jews contrary to the truth hence an answer was not necessary. Third, Pilate’s question may have been an honest inquiry for the truth to which Jesus’ response meant Pilate’s search had uncovered the truth.
What does Christ the King mean?
It means Christ is a royal. Jesus said in John 18: 6, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Jesus’ statement referred rather to the source or origin of his kingship and not the place of its exercise. The source of authority is heaven but the place of dominion is universal. Jesus said in Matthew 28: 18, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Christ is thus not subject to worldly powers or authorities. Both the living and the dead are subject to his reign.
Jesus bore an inscription on the cross, in Luke 23: 38, “This is the King of the Jews.” As King of the universe, he exercises his kingship without restraint nor recourse to anyone. Jesus said in Luke 4: 6, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. He exercises his kingship judiciously not pleasing men but the Father in heaven. Jesus was mocked in Mark 15: 30; Luke 23: 37 “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” one of the criminals who hanged on the cross also derided him saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!? The chief priests, along with the scribes also mocked him in Mark 15: 31, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.”
Did Jesus need to save himself as a King?
Jesus needed not do so. He had said copiously, in Matthew 16: 21; 17: 23; 20: 19; Mark 8: 31; 9: 31; 10: 34; Luke 18: 33; 24: 7; John 2: 19; that “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” He said in Matthew 12: 40, for just as Jonah was three days and nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. Truly, he rose on the third day. Acts 27: 19-20 say but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
Jesus need not save himself as if he was a captive of earthly authority. Rather, he came to save the world. Luke 19: 10 says for the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” As king, 1Corinthians 15:27 says for “God has put all things in subjection under his feet. But when it says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. As the King of all flesh, Ephesians 1: 22 says and he put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
How does Christ’s kingship function?
It has no end but eternal. 1Corinthians 15: 25 says for he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. Daniel said in Daniel 6: 26, for he is the living God, enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end. Some may argue that this verse rather refers to God and not Jesus. However, Jesus explained in John 10: 30, the Father and I are one.” It is also explained through prophecy in Isaiah 9: 6, for a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
It is also affirmed in John 1: 3, all things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. John 1: 10-12 say he was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. Just as the days of old, many reject the Lordship of King Jesus as the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace as Isaiah wrote. If we shall live in holiness, Christ Jesus will live with us as King of our lives and as one body.
How is Christ Jesus our King?
Paul says in Romans 10: 9, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. By believing in, and confessing Christ Jesus as Lord, we will have Jesus to reign in our hearts as the King. Hebrews 10: 23 says let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. Christ Jesus will be our King if we abide with him without wavering in all circumstances.
Jesus will be our King if we invite him into our hearts to stay with us. He said in Revelation 3: 20, Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. Unfortunately, with hardened hearts for worldly desires, we have shut the door against Jesus’ offer to dwell with us. Jesus said in Mark 8: 36-37, for what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Hebrews 3: 15 says today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.
What is more honourable than accepting an invitation from our final judge in eternity, and the king of the universe? Will we also mock Jesus and reject his grace? He never came to save himself but sinners like us. Our thoughts and philosophies will not change Jesus’ kingship but our humility and obedience will make him a dwelling in our hearts where his eternal peace, joy and contentment will be our heritage. Is Christ Jesus our King in righteousness in every circumstance of life?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we submit as the eternal King of glory to whom we owe our lives. We therefore open the door of our hearts to you. Come in and reign as our blessed king and humble us as your servants to obey your will. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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