“Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end I was born, and for this cause, came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.” John 18:37
Dear Ones:
In Matthew’s gospel, we have the Lord’s words so very clearly given to us concerning first things, or first pursuits: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) With regard to that “kingdom,” how can we understand what it means except we take a look at the King? The knowledge of Who and What the King is, permeates the entirety of the subject of the kingdom. We see this by the phrase, “…and His righteousness.” All that pertains to the kingdom has its foundation in what is RIGHT in the sight of God. When Jesus stood before Pilate, Pilate brought up the matter of His kingship. He probably did this because there were many who were declaring that He was indeed the King of the Jews. And yet, before him, Jesus stood without an army, without anyone to defend him. How could this ever be a king, especially when seen from an earthly standpoint. It is at this point that the Lord tells Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from thence.” (Jn. 18:36) In speaking these words, this king, standing before Pilate reveals that He is NOT of this earth, and in particular, not of the this “world,” that which pertains to the sins of earth. His origin is from everlasting to everlasting, having no beginning or ending of days. Woe be to the one who would misinterpret who He truly is by the clothes he wears, and by the lack of his servants who fight for him. Pilate has no idea that before him is standing the one who is “the King of glory.” David writes of Him in the following terms: “Who is this king of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” (Ps. 24:8) David again asks the question, “Who is the king of glory?” He answers his own question by saying: “The Lord of hosts, He is the king of glory.” (24:10) There is in the revelation of who this king is, the unveiling of His absolute power and authority. He is “strong and mighty,” and this, in every battle. This is the one who on earth could have asked the Father for twelve legions of angels, to be delivered from the deceits, and devilish designs of sinful men. But He did not. Bypassing all that the “world” would attribute to Him, the purpose of His coming in the way that He came, was of another realm, that of Heaven itself. The plan was a perfect one. The Father would give His perfect Son to be the sin bearer of the world, that He might save many. It is by the heart of this King, who demonstrated His strength and power in battle, that of Calvary, that He sits now at the right hand of the Father, forever worshipped in heaven. His kingship, and thus, His reign over His kingdom speaks of the truth which He came to be a witness to. He was, and is, in every sense of the word, the truth to the world, to man, so lost in his sin and godlessness. As King, having born our sin, and being risen from the dead by the power of God, He communicates His victory, and His life, to those who truly belong to Him. It is as His servants seek first His kingdom, that they too benefit from His power and strength, finding in Him all that is good and holy, worthy of consideration and worship.
David writes also in Psalm 24: “Lift up your heads, O ye gates: and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” The only, true response to this King, is to open wide our hearts.
Dear Father, Give us grace to receive this King Eternal. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad