Read Psalm 89:27-37. 27And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. 28My steadfast love I will keep for him forever, and my covenant will stand firm for him. 29I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens. 30If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my rules, 31if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments, 32then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes, 33but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness. 34I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. 35Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David. 36His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me. 37Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies.”
The question at the start of the New Testament is where is this king? Where is this promised offspring of David? At Christmas we sing of Israel’s waiting and wondering. After 400 years of God’s silence, and the apparent dissolution of the dynasty, Christ would come! The King and his kingdom invading Earth from Heaven. The creator of David would be the offspring of David. The promise maker would be the promise.
Today we find ourselves waiting once again for the return of the King and his kingdom, the difference being that the King has become a life giving spirit and, until he returns, Jesus reigns over us from within, dwelling in our hearts as his holy palace temple.
Why Jesus? Out of all the descendants of David walking the Earth, why this son? Because he was the only descendant to never deserve punishment – If his children…violate my statutes and do not obey my commandment…then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes. Jesus never violated a single statute or disobeyed a single commandment, yet he was punished as a transgressor with the rod and stripes of the cruel cross. Jesus alone is the king of righteousness who sacrificed his life fully for us. He is worthy!
Now Christ has been made the highest of the kings of the Earth. He has been given the name above every other. At his feet every knee will bow. As we’ve said before, we don’t make Christ the lord of our lives, he already rules as the lord of all things. To live is Christ not only recognizes this, but joyfully submits to it as the only path to true glory.
You: In what ways are you actively waiting for the return of Christ the king?
You in Christ: We are enthroned with Christ. How does this truth change your perspective on how your life should be lived?
Christ in you: What part of your life do you still need to submit to Christ?
Pray: Jesus, you are my king. Rule in all my heart today. May worship be my posture and my delight. Amen.
To Live is Christ 