Jesus the King

Matthew 2:1-12
By Harold Dinsmore, M.Div.
© 2007 Harold Dinsmore

               Today we look into the aspect of Jesus being our King.  Throughout the Bible reference upon reference is made as to the promise of one coming who would reign over the house of David.  One who would be a king forever.  The word "king" is used symbolically in the Bible to signify someone who possesses supreme power.  The king was one who was in charge and possessed the power of life and death.  In fact, in I Timothy 1:17 the Apostle Paul writes, “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever, Amen.”  He continues this thought in chapter 6:13-16 when he writes, “In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal, and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever, Amen.”

               So we see that the Bible attributes this attribute of a kingly nature to God himself and his Son, Jesus Christ.  We now want to shift from our introduction to the passage before us this Sunday before Christmas.  Please read with me Matthew 2:1-12, (Read passage).  Notice if you will their question posed to the magistrate along with his own entourage of chief priests and teachers of the law:  “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”  Notice anything a bit different in their question and subsequent comment?  Very few kings were worshiped.  Oh, the people would bow down to them out of respect and give them high honor, but to worship a king was usually in contrast to their religious beliefs about their God or deities that they worshiped.