A Humble Rejected King

Happy Birthday. I am sure having a birthday so close to Christmas can be exciting but sometimes you feel like you get the short end of the deal because your gifts are always combined. As seen in 2 excerpts below, Jesus got the short end of the deal as well.

The following was taken from church bulletin – St Charles Bible Church    St Charles MN

“What shall I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?”

“A legend tells of an Irish king who disguised himself and went into the banquet hall of one of his barons. He was escorted to a lowly place among the throng who sat at the feast. The brilliance of his conversation and the nobility of his manner soon attracted the attention of someone with sufficient authority to escort him to a higher table. The same thing occurred again, and soon he was seated among the nobles of the realm. After another display of great wisdom, one of the lords spoke out, “In truth, Sir, you speak like a king. If you are not a king, you deserve to be one.” Then the king removed his disguise and took his rightful place among his subjects.

       That’s what should have happened when Jesus Christ, the eternal Word, laid aside His glory, took on human flesh, and dwelt among us. Although He was a common carpenter from the despised town of Nazareth, by His words and His deeds, including His miracles, the Jews should have recognized Him as their promised Messiah and King. But the Jewish leaders were so blinded by their sinful pride that even the stupendous miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead only hardened their determination to kill Jesus.

     In John’s portrayal of Jesus’ trial before Pilate, he wants us to see that even though Jesus was despised and rejected by the Jews, mocked by the soldiers, and finally condemned by Pilate, the man on the cross is the King. John wants us to see the majesty of Christ as He faced this suffering on our behalf. He also wants us to see the depth of sin that resides in every heart. Apart from God’s grace, we would have responded to Jesus as the Jewish leaders or Pilate, or the Roman soldiers did. But also, hidden in this story is the way that we all should respond to Christ.” (Let Me Illustrate [Revell], Donald Grey Barnhouse, pp.180-181)

The following was taken from Oxford NIV Scofield Study Bible Notes for John 12:23. (Oxford University Press, 1967)

  “The hour of human decision was now past, as far as the establishment of the kingdom was concerned (Lk 19:41-44). The King had been rejected by His own nation and therefore, the predicted temporal blessings of that kingdom for both Jew and Gentiles (Isa 60:1-4.62:1-4) had to be deferred until the King’s return in glory (Acts 15:16-17). But now a greater hour has arrived- the hour of the King’s glorification through death and resurrection (Jn 12:23-24,28); this hour, set by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, will bring eternal life to all who believe, whether Jews or Gentiles (Jn 8:24,32)”

As we celebrate Jesus’ birthday in a few days and yours today, let us remember that the Christ child grew up to assume His role as King. He was rejected and crucified. Ultimately, He will return, and everyone will bow before Him. (Phil 2:9-11). We will either bow as His loyal forgiven subjects or bow to Him as we spend eternity apart from Him in hell. There is no greater gift you could receive today than to be completely forgiven. Please message us if you have any questions about your eternal destination.

Acts 4:12 – There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”

Dave R

  ’69 / ’83 Quarryville PA