Have you noticed what seems to be the emergence of “kings?” Names like Xi Jinpeng, Putin, Netanyahu, and now Trump seem to be dominating the news. Though none of these men have the title “king” they have the kind of dominance that we associate with the kings of ages past. Even in organizations that claim to be democratic, there is usually someone behind the scenes who is running the show. Designated leaders are sometimes puppet-like figures who are carrying out the wishes of someone else. Are countries of the world becoming “kingdoms” once again? People have the need of a king who will lead them, protect them, and look after their needs.
History reveals that all kings rise and fall. Kingdoms begin with a tone of excitement and their flame dies out over a period of years. New kings, sometimes with opposing views, rise up to take their places.
Today we remind ourselves that we have a king. The leader of our country is not our king. In fact, the country in which we live is not our kingdom. We also know that our king is the “King of kings;” he is Lord over all the presidents, premiers, dictators, and kings of this world. We also know that though kings and kingdoms all pass away, the kingdom to which we belong will endure forever.
Let’s listen to what God’s Word says about the one true King (Daniel 7:13-14).
“I saw one like a Son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.”
Daniel’s prophecy tells us that this king, though he is a man, comes down from heaven. He is appointed by God as king over all peoples, nations, and languages.
“His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.”
Unlike all other kings, this King appointed by God shall reign forever, and all the armies of the world cannot overthrow him.
The second reading talks about where we fit in (Revelation 1:5-8).
“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by is blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever.”
Our King has freed us from the kingdom of sin that holds us down and keeps us in slavery to Satan. He has made us into a special kingdom; every member of his kingdom is a “priest” of God who has the power to worship the Father in Spirit and in truth.
Finally, we listen to the gospel for today (John 18:33-37).
“Pilate said to Jesus, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ …Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom does not belong to this world…as it is my kingdom is not here.”
Though Jesus was the King of the Jews and of all peoples, his kingdom did not look like a typical kingdom of this world. Pilate didn’t realize that Jesus was his king and king over the Roman emperor as well.
“So Pilate said to him, ‘Then you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.’”
Jesus came as a king whose job was not to run the economy of a nation but to proclaim the truth in the midst of every nation and every people. He was the One who represented the authority of God on earth.
“Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
Not everyone can hear what the King is saying. Only those who “belong to the truth” can hear the voice of Jesus and follow him as their king.
Today we realize our fundamental identity is not being a citizen of an earthly kingdom, but being a citizen of heaven. We have the power to continue to represent God’s truth to the world and to be his priests in the world. When we listen to the voice of Jesus and try to conform our lives to his will, we are acting as true members of the Kingdom that will last forever.
