King of Kings

Dec 1, 2022

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

- Matthew 2:1-2

In Matthew chapter 2, a group of wise men - those interested in astrology and philosophy - came from the East to find Christ. God meets them in their line of interest and leads them to Jesus through a star.

People expected at that time of a Messiah, or great man, from Judea, and these wise men were expectant that this star might lead them to the one they had anticipated.

They came looking for “the one who has been born king of the Jews.” But there is irony in this title. Jesus’ identity as King of the Jews is unique in several ways. First, Jewish people were often despised and dishonored because of their unique beliefs. They were often thought of as a low and conquered race.

Second, it was unusual for a baby to be born a king. Typically young men are princes for years before they are kings. But Jesus was different. He was king from birth. The wise men remarkably made great efforts to honor an infant king, but even more so, a King of the Jews.

Why did Jesus come to earth in this way?

Why did he enter the world as the infant king of a hated race? How does this “King of Kings” give hope to the hurting people of Ancient Israel, and the hurting people of 2022? Why not enter as the triumphant king most were expecting?

Jesus is the King of Kings not because he came to earth as a fully formed man, bathed in Divine light, on the back of a white horse, ready to snap his fingers and right all of the wrongs. Instead, the Son of God humbled himself and made the full commitment to being the perfect sacrifice. He came as a baby, born of a virgin birth, sinless and pure, ready to live the perfect life for his people, so he could die the perfect death, defeat darkness, and offer us eternal life.

All of the reasons why 1st Century Jews were astonished by Christ’s arrival are the very reasons why we can have hope through that tiny baby.

All of the Messianic expectations held missed the true character of God - a love so deep and so sacrificial that He met us where we were at. Heaven crashed into earth, God became man, and He flipped the script so He could know us and redeem us as no other King could. That’s the King of Kings, that’s the hope of Christmas. It’s a baby in a manger who is the King of the Jews. It’s why the wise men traveled miles and miles staring at a star. It’s why we show up as Good Neighbors in our world. It’s why we Go First.

Because Christ went first for us. He humbled himself and made the full commitment to making wrong things right.

This Advent season, it’s time to reflect on your own life.

Have you encountered the baby Jesus? Do you know the King of Kings and do you follow Him? And if so, are you ready to emulate that kind of love in the world? Are you ready to humble yourself in order to make wrong things right? Are you ready to Go First and do your part to help Heaven crash into earth in our city?

Hope was born in a little stable in Bethlehem.

And hope can be born every day through the Holy Spirit working in and through you. All you have to do is seek the Son and submit to the King of Kings.