"Glory to the New Born King"

The Bible presents Jesus Christ as the glorious king of saints (Rev. 15:3), king of kings (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14), king of glory (Ps. 24:7–10), king of Zion (Matt. 21:5), and king over all the earth (Zech. 14:9). Yet this creator and king of the universe was born in a stable, welcomed by shepherds, raised by a carpenter, and grew up along the shores of Galilee. He was a healer of the sick, a friend of sinners, but the scorn of the learned. He was a receiver of children, a champion to the multitudes, but betrayed and denied by friends. This king was falsely accused, beaten and scourged, mocked and ridiculed, and finally crucified; but in him there was no guile, he was silent as a lamb led to slaughter. In infancy and in death he was hailed, “King of the Jews.” But through his resurrection he has been exalted to the highest place and given the name that is above every name—Lord (Phil. 2:9-11).

A survey of the Scripture will tell us these things about the kingship of Christ.

1. Made King before the foundation of the world. "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake" (1 Peter 1:18-20). Not only was Christ chosen to be our mediator and king before creation but we were “chosen in him…to be holy and blameless.” God “predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will” (Eph. 1:4, 5).
   
   
2. Predicted as King in the Old Testament. Genesis 3:15 reveals the promise of the “seed” that would usher a crushing blow to the head of Satan. Micah 5:2 offers a promise to Bethlehem: "Though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Perhaps the most well know is Isaiah 9:6, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders."
   
   
3. Declared King at the resurrection. There are a couple of statements that indicate this very clearly. In Acts 2:29-30 we read, "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place [raise up or seat] one of his descendants on his throne." God has done this through the resurrection and at the ascension where Christ was taken up to glory to sit on the heavenly throne. More emphatically verse 36 says, "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36). In 1 Corinthians Paul tells us that the last enemy to be destroyed is death and through the resurrection Christ has conquered it. Therefore, God “has put everything under his feet.” (1 Cor. 15:27).
   
   
4. Reigns as King in the hearts of his people. Though Jesus was bon “king of the Jews,” he never asserted his kingly rights during his earthly life. He told Pilate, “My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight” (John 18:36). Nevertheless, Jesus did preach that his kingdom was near and he didn’t rebuke the people for hailing him as king when he entered Jerusalem (cf. Luke 19:38). Jesus knew that his kingdom would one day have a literal fulfillment, but until that time, he would reign in the hearts of his people. At the present time his kingdom on earth is a spiritual one being manifest through the lives of his people—the church. Paul reminded the Ephesians that "God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way" (Ephesians 1:22-23). He also told the Colossians that Jesus "is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation…all things were created by him and for him…And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy" (Colossians 1:15-18). Because Christ is King and we are the church, “we are Christ’s ambassadors” (2 Cor. 5:20). Therefore, we are to live and speak for Christ that people might be reconciled to God.
   
   
5. Returns as King at the second coming. Paul told the Thessalonians that “the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God” (1 Thess. 4:16). When Jesus came the first time, he came in humility. When Jesus comes again he will come with power and dominion and authority. Without doubt, however, the most glorious description of the return of King Jesus is that of Revelation 19:11-16.
   
   

   I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

6. Judges as King. 2 Thessalonians 1:7 says that when Christ returns he will be “revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.” At that time “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel” (v. 8). Christ has been given the right to be king and judge by the Father. John records Jesus saying, "The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son…And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man." (John 5:22, 27).
   
   
7. Remains King forever and ever. Revelation 11:15 tells us of a day when the seventh angel will sound his trumpet and loud voices in heaven will proclaim: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." Not only will Christ rule a literal one thousand year kingdom on earth, but he will be the ruler and sovereign over the new heavens and new earth for all eternity. Quoting Psalm 45:6-7 the writer of Hebrews says, "But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”" (Hebrews 1:8-9; cf. Ezek, 37:25; Dan. 2:4; Mi. 4:7; Zech. 14:9).

What a wonderful Savior we have! What a sovereign King we serve!

It is striking to me that every year people sing Christmas hymns that speak of Christ as king, yet, they live as if he is just another baby. They celebrate it as if it is just another birthday on the calendar. Christ is king and one day all will recognize his lordship over all creation. Millard Erickson your Godoffers this somber reminder, “There is a time coming when the rule of Christ will be complete; then all will be under his rule, whether willingly and eagerly, or unwillingly and reluctantly.”

On Christmas day, 1530, Martin Luther looked at his congregation as they gathered to worship and said, "We do not believe that the virgin mother gave birth to a son and that he is the Lord and Savior unless, added to this, I believe the second thing, namely, that he is my Savior and Lord."

Is the baby in the manger your God and King?