There is a South Asian story called “The Story of a Smart King,” which is a story about four kings. In the kingdom, the people had decided to curb the power of the ruler by only allowing the king to rule for five years. At the end of his rule, he had to live out the rest of his days in the forest across the river from the city. The first king came to power and lived a decadent life, focusing on himself rather than the people he ruled. When his term ended, he cried as he took the boat to the forest. Soon after the wild animals came and ate him. The second king, afraid of what could happen, cowered for all five years at the thought of what awaited him in the forest. His rule was one of fear, and when it was time for him to cross the river, his heart gave out and he died. A third king came, and tried to enjoy himself like the first, but fear soon gave way, and he too died in the forest. A fourth king came to power, and ruled wisely over the people. So much so, that the people did not want to see him go. Yet as he crossed the river, he sang songs and appeared happy. The boatman who took the king marveled at the king’s singing, and asked, “Why are you so joyful, when the others had been so frightened?” The king replied, “I have sent my people before me to clear the land and build a new kingdom, from which to rule.”
The moral of the story is to be a person who does not fear, but prepares for the future. But it is this idea of a wise king ruling over his people that brings us to our second week in our series on Christ’s offices, or his authority in his work to redeem creation. If you have your Bibles, we are going to start off in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 24 verse 63, where we are going to look at Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas. As we open up to Matthew 24:63, let us remind ourselves where we are in this series.
Last week we talked about how God can be seen in Genesis 1-3 in the authority of King, Prophet, and Priest. We talked about how God is King over all creation, in that from him, all things are created. He is sovereign over all things, and all things are to bow to him in worship. Following God’s Kingship, we saw how God fulfilled the duty of a prophet in that he spoke to Adam to not eat the fruit from the forbidden tree, for when they did, they would die. This prophetic word was then fulfilled when Adam and Eve ate from the tree and entered into death. Finally, we saw how God performed the duties of a priest when we covered the nakedness of Adam and Eve after their sin. In all of this, we also talked about how those offices were then delegated in part to the nation of Israel, through Saul and David as kings, through those like Daniel and Isaiah as prophets, and the Levites as priests. It’s here where we are going to begin taking a deeper look at how Christ fulfills these three offices through his incarnate work.
With that in our minds, let us open the Scriptures to the Gospel of Matthew 26:63, and read together.
“63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, ‘I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.’ 64 Jesus said to him, ‘You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, ‘He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?’ They answered, ‘He deserves death.’”
In front of the Jewish leaders, early that first Good Friday morning, Jesus was asked the question, “… tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God. (v.63)” At Jesus’ response, Caiaphas the high priest became enraged and calls Jesus’ words blasphemy. The reason for this is because Jesus’ response was a call back to Daniel 7, something Caiaphas would have recognized.
In Daniel 7, Daniel is seeing a vision of heaven. Let’s read together, starting in verse 9.
“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. 10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.”
Daniel sees God, the Ancient of Days, the King of Creation seated on a his heavenly throne, surrounded by his servants. This description of God sees him in his kingly role of judgment. The beasts who have made war have their power and authority stripped from them and now are to be judged.
After this judgment from the King, the vision continues in verse 13, “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. (v.13-14)” It's this vision that Jesus points to, and Caiaphas recognizes. The son of man figure is one whom is given an everlasting kingdom. Jesus claims this everlasting kingdom for himself, and challenges the high priest in his misjudgment of who he thinks Jesus is. It is because Jesus claims to be the Son of Man who receives an everlasting dominion, and who is worshiped alongside the Ancient of Days, that Caiaphas decries “… blasphemy!”
From here, Jesus is sent to Pilate. Who, like Caiaphas, wants Jesus to reveal his identity. Pilate must have heard of Jesus’ claim to kingship, because the Roman governor asks the question in John 18:33, “… Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus’ answer to this was, “… My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world. (Jn. 18:36)” Here, Jesus gives the clearest affirmation to his kingship. King Jesus is not simply a head of state, if that were the case, he would have rebelled with violence. No, Jesus’ kingdom is over all creation. In this moment the King is not bringing war upon his subjects, but rather he is paving a way for peace. Through Jesus the King’s sacrifice, the King has offered a peaceful resolution to humanities’ rebellion.
Paul would recognize this kingship when he writes in Ephesians 1:20-22, “that he [God the Father] worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church …”
John, in the opening of the book of Revelation, would see Christ as King in the Lord’s full glory and would write of the vision, “12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. (1:12-16)” This imagery harkens back to the same imagery Daniel saw in his vision. And since the image of Jesus in his full kingship was so overwhelming, John's response was, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. (Rev. 1:17)”
Jesus invokes and wields the power of the office of King. He is King by rights of his station as God, and he is King by right of his work on behalf of humanity through which the Father has given authority to the Son. Due to these factors, Jesus is honored with names corresponding to his great kingship. He is called El Gibbowr, the Might God (Is. 9:6); this name invokes the hero tyrant who overcomes his enemies. He is the Sovereign, King of Kings, and Lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:15). He is the Ruler and Shepherd of Israel (Matt. 2:6). His is the King of Ages (1 Tim. 1:17). The King of Nations (Rev. 15:3). The Lawgiver (Is. 33:22) and Leader and Commander (Is. 55:4). He is the Lion of Judah (Rev. 5:5). The Lord of Righteousness (Jer. 23:6).
It is because of his kingly status that Jesus could then declare to his disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matt. 28:18)” John would see this authority wielded in the last days and would write of it in Revelation 19:14-16, “14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
It is through this authority of kingship that Jesus calls people to follow. It is through his great might that he sends us into the world as messengers of peace. For this reason Paul writes in Second Corinthians 5:20, of being “… ambassadors for Christ …” We are to proclaim the peace treaty of the King to whoever would embrace it; calling people to him, until the day when the King will return and rule for eternity. This is who Christ is in the office of King, and his purpose is to bring about his kingdom’s full rule without rebellion, as was always his intention from Genesis 1.
There is an olive branch of peace paid for by the King himself to all those in rebellion. That olive branch, bought through the blood of the King, is offered until his return. At that time, “… at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:10-11)”
And when that happens, Jesus will rule with the rod of iron, in his majesty and authority. Therefore, whether by choice or by force, all will recognize the King as the Eternal Creator and Sustainer of all things. And all glory and honor will be given to him. And we who choose to willing bow, will join with the living creatures and elders singing, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth … Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing … To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And all will say with one voice as they lay their crowns before King Jesus, “AMEN! (Rev. 5:9-10, 12, 13-14)”
Because Jesus is King, my challenge for you this week is to submit your will to his authority. The King’s rule is absolute, there is to be no rebellion of his subjects. In your bulletin is a white paper flag cutout. This week, seek the Holy Spirit to reveal an area of your life that you are currently rebelling in. Write that area on the white flag, and then place it where you will see it every day. We must raise the white flag of surrender to our King, so that his work would be ever greater in us.
Let us be a people, fully surrender to the King of kings, and be able to truly proclaim, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matt 6.10)” Amen.
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