Jesus, the king of Israel

In a few days’ time, practically the whole world, save for very few places, will be celebrating Christmas. It might have come unnoticed at that time, except by his parents, a few shepherds, and some learned men thousands of miles away, but 2,000 years later, the event has global business proportions and almost all places are drawn to its money-making potential. Man’s greed rears its ugly head in the 21st century and while sincere latter-day followers of Jesus continue to observe the event in submissive worship, Christmas has become a worldwide commercial venture.

In another part of the globe, where the event actually happened, war is still raging. It’s a sad commentary to the life of Jesus that the very people he has been foretold to reign as king did not accept him. It was likewise prophesied, though – “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:11), which is why Christianity spread to the rest of the world and there are only a few Christians among the Jews. Yet, while Jesus came to the world to be our savior, lord, and king, he also will be king of Israel.

Christians believe that history may also be spelled as “his story,” --all the saga from the time of creation to the time of Jesus, up to his second coming is all about him. Many others don’t, but at least for sincere Bible-believing Christians, we should have that perspective. Even as we view current events in what is happening in Gaza, we understand in the light of what the Bible says. The Israelis may not, but I am confident they will in the end since it was already “written”. Jesus will be the King of Israel!

This certainty may be lost to many who ardently read their Bibles daily, mainly because it concerns Israel and not the “gentiles” (meaning us who are not Jews). But this is a certainty repeated many times in scriptures. The learned men who came to visit him asked “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east and are come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2). The apostle Nathaniel exclaimed in Matthew 2:2, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” And when he entered Jerusalem, people carried “branches of the palm trees and went out to meet him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” Even in the end, Pilate mocked him so.

And for us, gentiles, he is our king, too. In fact, the very Lord of Lords, and King of Kings! (Revelation 17:14). What a better way to celebrate Christmas in a few days than to reflect if we really have been worshipping Christ as our king. That means the ruler of our very lives and every day thereof, the whole year round. More often than not we act as kings of our own, in our own minds and hearts. It is indeed difficult, but we can vacate the throne of our hearts and allow Christ to reign there.