Jesus is King
The most extended series I had the privilege of teaching was a 3½ year journey of Sundays through the Gospel of Matthew. That was including holidays and guest speakers. It turned out to be about the length of Jesus’ actual earthly ministry. Congrats to those of you who survived the whole thing!
One of the many things I love about the gospel of Matthew is how often the writer reminds us that the circumstances surrounding Jesus' life took place to “fulfill what was spoken through the prophet,” or wording similar to that. At least nine times, we see this reference to messianic prophecies of the Old Testament fulfilled in Christ. Only John comes close, with about seven such allusions.
But it is Matthew who stands out as the gospel writer whose intent is to portray Jesus as the One who is the fulfillment of Israel’s hopes for a King, predicted in their Scriptures. Thus, Matthew ties numerous details about Jesus to the Old Testament prophecies about Messiah, including pre-birth incidents, place of birth, His death and resurrection, and many more. He uses the Old Testament Scriptures in his gospel no fewer than 130 times to make his point! Matthew is not just making this stuff up. These leave no room for denial—Jesus is King!
The first time Jesus came, He did not set up an earthly kingdom. That didn't seem right to those awaiting the Messiah, but it was the plan all along. They needed to take a closer look at their Scriptures. It was right there in passages such as Isaiah 53. He came to suffer and die for sins, including theirs. He came to set an example of what it meant to be a faithful servant. He came as the ultimate sacrifice for humankind. No white steed, no castle, no jewel-encrusted crown or usual earthly king regalia. There was just the undeniable reality—Jesus is King!
So, if Jesus is King, what does that mean to you? You could begin with treating Him like King. He's not just your Supreme Leader on Sundays, but Monday through Sunday, 24/7, in every area of life. Your other commitments take on a new perspective when you put them in subjection to Christ and not just your meager willpower! Yes, when you don't take that donut, it's not the bathroom scale that is sovereign; the mirror is not your master—Jesus is King!
We called that marathon Matthew series The Prophets Spoke; The King has Come. Underlying Matthew’s entire account is the undeniable theme of Jesus’ kingship. The fact that He was King was about the only fact Jesus affirmed verbally in His trials before His crucifixion; otherwise, He was mostly silent. He didn't need to defend Himself—Jesus is King.
Jesus being King was also the message nailed to His cross. Some wonder what “INRI” stands for on the sign in paintings of Jesus on the cross. They are the initials for the Latin “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum” or “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” John's gospel tells us about Pilate, who, having found no fault in Jesus, ordered this sign for the cross in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek: “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” The Jewish religious leaders wanted it changed to “He said I am King of the Jews.” But Pilate insisted, “What I have written I have written” (John 19:21-22).
Little did Pilate know, what he had written had already been written long ago.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
—Matthew 6:33