The King and I

At a recent conference, I attended with my husband, I had the opportunity to have my picture taken with the King, Elvis Presley, well at least an overweight impersonator of him.  I couldn’t let that photo-op pass me by.

We crown lots of things “King” in our society.  Elvis aside, there is Burger King,  King of Queens, King of the Hill,  even dogs are given the name King.  When we add King, it makes the thing seem more valuable, or noble.  When it comes to actual royalty we know that King is a title not merely bestowed upon a person, they must be born of a royal bloodline . Historically a king was not just a figurehead, “A king, is someone who has authority to rule and reign over a group of people.”  Interestingly, Jesus is just such a king.  He is called the King of the Jews by the Magi (Matt. 2:2), and Jesus accepts that title in Matt. 27:11, "Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, 'Are You the King of the Jews?' And Jesus said to him, 'It is as you say.'”  Matt. 21:5 speaks of Jesus and says, "Behold your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey."  Remember, Jesus is King in that he rules and judges.  "And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war," (Rev. 19:11).  The armies follow him (Rev. 19:14).

Is it more difficult for we in Americans, who fought the Revolutionary War, to free ourselves from the reign of a tyrannical King, to accept the Lordship of Christ?  It shouldn't be, because Jesus is a different kind of King.  He does not hold rigid laws and punishments over our heads, his reign is one of love.  And not only love dispensed from a far away kingdom, NO, we have a King who has literally walked in our sandals, and empathizes with our needs and sufferings.  This King holds out his scepter and bids us come near, without fear of losing our heads.   Is there a kingdom of God without a King?  No.  Jesus is that king: "'Are You the King of the Jews?' And Jesus said to him, 'It is as you say,'" (Matt. 27:11). (Matt Slick). If you haven’t responded to the King’s call for a personal audience, yet, don’t hesitate. When you do, he will bestow his royal bloodline, and all its benefits on you!