Jesus Christ as King

MEMORY VERSE: “Let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” —Acts 2:36

ZECHARIAH 9:9, 10

“REJOICE greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” (vs. 9) The New Testament record as found in Matthew 23:1-7 indicates that this prophecy by Zechariah was fulfilled by Jesus’ riding into Jerusalem on an ass, and being acclaimed King by his friends.

This is the scriptural background for the observance of “Palm Sunday,” for palm branches were strewn on the ground before Jesus as he rode into the city. While those who acclaimed Jesus as king were enthusiastic, a short time thereafter some of them, stirred by their religious leaders, shouted, “Crucify him, crucify him.”—Luke 23:21

It is true that Jesus did come 18 into the world to be a king. He testified this to Pilate when he said, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world.” (John 18:37) But his first advent was not the time for him to become the King of the world. That had to wait for the work of God during the Gospel Age to be completed; that work being the selection from the world of a “little flock” to live and reign with him.—Luke 12:32

Then this great King shall “command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.” (vs. 10, RSV) The “river” here referred to is probably the Euphrates, but the expression is designed to convey the fact that Christ’s rulership will be worldwide.

PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11

It was necessary, before Jesus exercised his authority as King, that he suffer and die as the Redeemer and Savior of the world. This he did, humbling himself even to the laying down of his life upon the cross. Paul wrote concerning him that “though he was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”—vs. 5, RSV

In the context immediately preceding this wonderful statement concerning Jesus we are admonished, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 2:5) As Paul reveals, Jesus’ mind was one of humility before God. He was willing to become a servant, and to die the ignominious death of the cross in order that his Father’s will might be carried out, and that will was that, through sacrificial death, he should be the Redeemer and Savior of the world. What an incentive this should be for us to continue laying down our lives in the divine service!

According to promise, God highly exalted Jesus when he raised him from the dead. Isaiah 45:22,23 reads, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.”

It is this latter statement that the Apostle Paul incorporates into his statement concerning the high exaltation of Jesus. In the divine arrangement those who honor the Son honor the Father, so, as Paul explains, it is to the exalted Jesus that every knee will eventually bow and every tongue confess—confess, that is, “that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Beginning with Pentecost a “little flock” have confessed that Jesus is the Lord, and have done this to the glory of God, the Father, for they have realized the relationship of the Son to the Father. Eventually—during the messianic kingdom—all mankind will acknowledge him, and this also will be to the glory of God, the Father.

QUESTIONS

What scriptures form the background of “Palm Sunday”?

When will Jesus command peace to the nations?

What part of God’s plan was it necessary for Jesus to carry out before he could reign as King?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |