During Advent, we focus on various titles of Jesus Christ. In this post we will examine Jesus the King. This title refers primarily to his future activity when he will come again. But let us begin by reviewing some things from the past:
(1) The Hebrew Scriptures contain many prophecies concerning the Kingdom. The Christ, or Messiah, was to be a descendant of David and occupy his throne. The Prophet Isaiah said, "Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever" (9:7). See also the following references: 2 Samuel 7:5-16, Psalm 89:27-29 and Jeremiah 23:5-6.
(2) He was to come into the world as a King. When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to Mary, this is what he said, "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:31-33).
(3) Jesus was born a King. Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1-2).
(4) He was rejected as a King. The Jewish authorities handed Jesus over to Pilate and he asked, "'What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?' Pilate asked them. 'Crucify him!' they shouted" (Mark 15:12-13).
(5) Jesus died as a King. "Above his head they placed the written charge against him: 'THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS'" (Matthew 27:37).
Considering that Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger, people might wonder what kind of king he was. The mockers present at his crucifixion said, "'He saved others,' they said, 'but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe'”(Mark 15:31-32). Despite the clear prophecies of Scriptures, these circumstances may have confused or misled some people; however, people of faith recognize him as their Savior and Lord and are part of his Spiritual Kingdom, the Church.
(6) When Jesus comes again, he will return as a King. At this point, we should remind ourselves what kings were in history. Kings did not reign as figure heads of state as is the case today in the remaining constitutional monarchies like England and Spain. In Biblical times, kings were absolute monarchs who ruled by divine decree. At his Second Coming, Christ will set up a Kingdom and reign forever. The Kingdom will continue until all enemies, angelic and human, will be put down (1 Corinthians 15:25-28). However, Christ's kingly reign will be eternal in as much as Christ goes on reigning by the authority of the Father. When he appears riding a white horse and accompanied by the Hosts of Heaven, he will wear a robe and bear the inscription, "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS" (Revelation 17:14; 19:16). At this time, "Every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:10-11).
You can choose to confess him now as Lord or be forced to at this future time. Why not make him your King today and be part of his Kingdom on earth and also share the hope of his eternal Kingdom.
Rev. Kenneth Fellenbaum
Friday, December 30, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Musings about the Messiah
The many promises and prophecies in Hebrew Scriptures led devout Jews to anticipate a coming of Messiah. Simeon and Anna, two elderly persons described in Luke 2, represent many others who also shared this hope. The Scriptures also foretold the appearance of a forerunner before the revelation of the Messiah. The emergence of John the Baptist was seen as the fulfillment of this prophecy: "In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.' This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: 'A voice of one calling in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him’” (Matthew 3:1-3).
Some people living then thought that John the Baptist was the Messiah but he pointed them to Jesus Christ and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me’" (John 1:29-30). Later when John was in prison, he sent his disciples to Jesus and asked him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”(Matthew 11:2-3). Apparently, John was experiencing some doubt about who Jesus was and just wanted to make sure that Jesus really was the Messiah. This is not all that uncommon--who among has not had occasional questions about Jesus Christ.
Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah. As proof, believers point to various Scriptures that indicate the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies in Christ. Some of these are general enough in nature that a good number of others could claim (and many have) to be Messiah. For instance, Messiah was to come through the house and line of David. Critics would characterize certain other prophecies as being self-fulfilled by Jesus. As a knowledgeable Jew, he was familiar with passages such as Zechariah 9:9--the prophecy about Messiah entering Jerusalem by riding on a donkey. Even if you accept the miracles of Jesus as authentic (and not the made-up preaching of the Early Church)--there were a number of other individuals in the Bible that were able to do miraculous signs (Moses, Elijah, etc.) and they obviously were not the Messiah.
The Jewish problem with Jesus as Messiah boils down to two major points. First, if Jesus were the Messiah, what happened to the Kingdom. Since no kingdom materialized then he must not have been the Messiah. By the way, his own disciples were also looking for a kingdom right up and until his ascension (See Acts 1). Secondly, Jewish theological beliefs about the holiness of God prohibit the Messiah from being both God and man. However, the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6-7 indicates that the child to be born would be called, "Mighty God and Everlasting Father."
So how can we know that Jesus truly was the Messiah? 1) Overwhelming evidence is provided through the abundance of Scriptures and prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus. 2) A proper understanding of his first appearance and what was accomplished, along with the present spiritual nature of the Kingdom, indicates that he is the Messiah. When he comes again, a literal Kingdom will be realized. 3) Jesus said that he was the Messiah (see John 4:26 and Mark 14:61-62). 4) His resurrection from the dead proves his uniqueness but ultimately it comes down to a matter of faith. When you believe, you are given confirmation through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Why is this important? Because God promised a Messiah and he has kept his word. Even more basic, why was a Messiah necessary? Because the sinful condition of the world required a Saviour. When Jesus comes again in power and glory, he will usher in the Kingdom. You can experience that peace and prosperity (spiritual blessings) now through faith.
Some people living then thought that John the Baptist was the Messiah but he pointed them to Jesus Christ and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me’" (John 1:29-30). Later when John was in prison, he sent his disciples to Jesus and asked him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”(Matthew 11:2-3). Apparently, John was experiencing some doubt about who Jesus was and just wanted to make sure that Jesus really was the Messiah. This is not all that uncommon--who among has not had occasional questions about Jesus Christ.
Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah. As proof, believers point to various Scriptures that indicate the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies in Christ. Some of these are general enough in nature that a good number of others could claim (and many have) to be Messiah. For instance, Messiah was to come through the house and line of David. Critics would characterize certain other prophecies as being self-fulfilled by Jesus. As a knowledgeable Jew, he was familiar with passages such as Zechariah 9:9--the prophecy about Messiah entering Jerusalem by riding on a donkey. Even if you accept the miracles of Jesus as authentic (and not the made-up preaching of the Early Church)--there were a number of other individuals in the Bible that were able to do miraculous signs (Moses, Elijah, etc.) and they obviously were not the Messiah.
The Jewish problem with Jesus as Messiah boils down to two major points. First, if Jesus were the Messiah, what happened to the Kingdom. Since no kingdom materialized then he must not have been the Messiah. By the way, his own disciples were also looking for a kingdom right up and until his ascension (See Acts 1). Secondly, Jewish theological beliefs about the holiness of God prohibit the Messiah from being both God and man. However, the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6-7 indicates that the child to be born would be called, "Mighty God and Everlasting Father."
So how can we know that Jesus truly was the Messiah? 1) Overwhelming evidence is provided through the abundance of Scriptures and prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus. 2) A proper understanding of his first appearance and what was accomplished, along with the present spiritual nature of the Kingdom, indicates that he is the Messiah. When he comes again, a literal Kingdom will be realized. 3) Jesus said that he was the Messiah (see John 4:26 and Mark 14:61-62). 4) His resurrection from the dead proves his uniqueness but ultimately it comes down to a matter of faith. When you believe, you are given confirmation through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Why is this important? Because God promised a Messiah and he has kept his word. Even more basic, why was a Messiah necessary? Because the sinful condition of the world required a Saviour. When Jesus comes again in power and glory, he will usher in the Kingdom. You can experience that peace and prosperity (spiritual blessings) now through faith.
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