Christ the King. Men's BS. 11.28.23

Introduction

I thought this morning we might talk a little bit about some biblical theology. Given that last Sunday was Christ the King Sunday in the church and this Sunday is the first week of the liturgical calendar. Did you know that by the way? It’s a new year.....in the Christian Calendar.

the end of the church calendar season named Ordinary time. This is the season from Pentecost to the first Sunday of Advent and it culminates in Christ the King Sunday. The liturgical calendar provides the framework and the declaration that God’s gracious provision of full salvation in and through Jesus Christ, that Jesus is Lord over all creation and is our soon coming King. I love that it stands at the doorway of advent because the coming child, is the God of the universe, and is our King.

“The Feast of Christ the King was a relatively late addition to the Western liturgical calendar. Pope Pius XI instituted it in his 1925 encyclical Quas primas; Protestant denominations adopted its observance during the ecumenical reforms of the mid-20th century. Written in the aftermath of World War I, the establishment of this feast day was Pope Pius XI’s response to increasing secularization and global instability; it was to serve as a perpetual reminder of the need for submission to the true King and Lord, Jesus Christ, and our citizenship in his kingdom. This feast day was also to remind the church that peace is ultimately and only found in obedience to Christ within the realm of his reign. From the opening statement of Quas primas: “as long as individuals and states refused to submit to the rule of our Savior, there would be no really hopeful prospect of a lasting peace among nations.” On this feast day, the church sounds a resounding “no!” to any individual, state, or nation that would claim ultimate authority and allegiance and raises a loud “yes!” to the reign of Christ the King.”

What is the kingdom?

What does it mean that Jesus is king?

Why is it important?

Alright what are some of the themes or examples of his kingship in the gospels. Where does this theme come up?

Dictionary of Bible Themes (2312 Jesus Christ, as king)

Jesus Christ, as king

Jesus Christ is declared king at his birth: he descends from the royal line of David. People rejected his kingly claims at his crucifixion but God exalted him to his rightful place of power and majesty. At the end of time Jesus Christ will rule the nations for ever.

Jesus Christ descends from the royal line of David

He was the Son of David Mt 1:1 The Messiah was expected to come from David’s line. The genealogy given by Matthew follows the royal line of the kings descended from David. See also Mt 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; Lk 1:32-33; 2:4; 3:31

Matthew has Jesus called Son of David multiple times. As does Luke.

Dictionary of Bible Themes (2312 Jesus Christ, as king)

He was born in Bethlehem, the town of David

Jn 7:42 See also Mt 2:3-6; Mic 5:2; Lk 2:15-16

Jesus Christ is regarded as king

Jn 1:49 By Nathanael.

John 1:49 NIV

49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

See also Mt 2:1-2 by the Magi; Jn 6:15 by the crowds; Ac 17:7 by Jason of Thessalonica

Jesus Christ refused worldly kingdoms

John 18:36 NIV

36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

See also (temptation with Satan) Mt 4:8-10 pp Lk 4:5-8; Jn 6:15

Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem as a king

Mt 21:1-9 pp Jn 12:12-15 See also Zec 9:9

Jesus Christ’s kingship is an issue at his trial

Pilate questions Jesus Christ Lk 23:2-3 pp Mt 27:11 pp Mk 15:2 pp Jn 18:33 Pilate’s first words to Jesus Christ are the same in all the Gospels.

Jesus Christ claims to be a spiritual king Jn 18:36-37 See also Mt 27:11 pp Mk 15:2 pp Lk 23:3

Pilate appeals to the crowd to accept Jesus Christ as their king Mk 15:9

The crowd reject Jesus Christ as king Mk 15:12-13 See also Jn 19:12-15

Jesus Christ is mocked as king Mt 27:27-30 pp Mk 15:16-20 pp Jn 19:2-3

Jesus Christ is declared king at his crucifixion

Jn 19:19-22 pp Mt 27:37 pp Mk 15:26 pp Lk 23:38 Jesus Christ’s claim to be king was the “crime” for which he was executed.

God has exalted Jesus Christ to his rightful place as king

Heb 1:3 See also Heb 8:1; 12:2; Rev 5:6; 7:17; 22:1-3

As king, Jesus Christ welcomes believers into his kingdom

Lk 23:42-43 See also 2Ti 4:18; Rev 3:20-21

Jesus Christ is king of all kings

He will rule over the nations Rev 1:5 See also Ps 2:7-9; Da 7:13-14; Mt 19:28; 25:31-32; Ro 15:12; 1Co 15:25; Php 2:9-10; Rev 12:5; 17:14; 19:11-16

He is king for ever Rev 11:15 See also Isa 9:7; Lk 1:33; Heb 1:8; Ps 45:6

Show Bible Project video:

I think there are a couple of very significant things for me that I find intriguing, compelling, moving about Jesus and his kingship:

In the words of Tom Oden: His death is the premise of His Kingship

Ponder that with me today. “Christ entered into messianic kingship through the unexpected route of suffering, cross, death, and burial.”

Legitimate governance was conferred in his resurrection and ascension.

This is radically upside down. This means his kingdom is upside down from what we would naturally think.

2. The session of the King is currently in-session.

Yet this is quite mysterious for us.

Show Steve Seamands video