The Eternal King

Barring a few nations, nobody talks about a king or a kingdom these days. But every nation or people group desires a king-like figure to rule over them. They seek a leader who will care for the masses and meet their needs, rather than misuse his power to serve his selfish ambitions. But can humanity produce such a leader – a just king who is solely for his people? Aren’t we so aware of our own wickedness to realize that if a ruler were to rise from among us, he would be just as egocentric, arrogant, and wicked as we are? Nevertheless, we still yearn for someone to bring about a change, someone who can save us from our present condition.

Even first-century Israel was waiting for such a king. For centuries, they were ruled by other kingdoms (Babylonians, followed by Medes, Persians, Greeks, and then the Romans at that time). Their bondage was not innocent but deserved, because they were paying the price for disobeying God’s laws. They longed for freedom and for a righteous person to rule over them. This desire for a Messiah-figure was not a generic one like ours. They were relying on the promises of God given to their forefathers. Abraham was promised that one from his lineage would be a blessing not just to Israel but to all the nations. David was promised that one of his seed would be an eternal King. And God stood by His promises.

In the fullness of time, God sent His Son – Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem to the virgin Mary, to fulfill all the prophesies and promises concerning Israel’s Messiah – the Anointed King. But as foretold by the prophets in the Holy Bible, Israel failed to recognize their own King. Jesus spoke heavenly truths and performed amazing miracles to confirm His identity as the Messiah and Son of God. Yet, His people rejected Him because He didn’t seem like a powerful political figure. Jesus Himself had made His intentions very clear that He was not planning to overthrow the Roman government. When the Jews got Him arrested, even the Roman governor Pontius Pilate was amazed that a harmless person like Jesus would be the cause of such uproar among the Jews. When Pilate questioned Jesus about His kingship, this is how Jesus responded:

“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Therefore, Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

– John 18:36-37

Jesus acknowledged that He was born a King, but not the kind that His people expected. This is why He never built an army or retaliated when He was arrested and crucified. He still teaches His followers to never pick up the sword and take vengeance. He was a different kind of King, One who was going to free them from their real enemy – their sin. And that would happen only if they would turn to the truth, the truth that He Himself embodied and revealed – that God has sent His Son into the world to save sinners. But they did not hear His voice because they did not want to side with the truth. And so, they crucified Him. But God raised Him from the dead, to prove to them and to us that their rejection does not change the fact that Jesus truly is God’s appointed King. The Holy Bible says that He shall rule over not just Israel, but all the nations. Jesus is a benevolent King who freely gives eternal life to all who believe in Him. But He is also a righteous and just King, who will judge those who do not respond to the truth. The question is: Which side of the truth do you want to be on?