Even a quick reading of the Bible will show that many kings, rulers, and emperors are presented within its pages. In the book of Genesis, it is not too long before Abraham finds himself facing a dilemma. Does he play it safe, or he does he attack the kings who took his nephew captive?
The wicked king Chedorlaomer and his companions had defeated the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. Later, Abraham receives word that Lot has been captured, so he devises a plan. He goes out with all his servants and defeats the king and those who were with him and rescues Lot. This story is a neat story, but it goes down in history depicting kings who will never again be enthroned.
As the Bible continues on, one will encounter the pharaohs of Egypt. These were also wicked rulers. They were polytheistic in their beliefs (they believed in and worshipped many gods). They believed that for each area of the land, there were gods that thrived there. If one wanted his crops to grow, he needed to worship a certain god for that specific purpose. If one wanted the sun to shine, the rain to fall, protection from certain pests and insects, once again, certain gods needed to be worshipped for that to happen.
Essentially one god was over one particular area of life. Thus, these gods were not all powerful but rather limited in their power. They did not have the ability to exercise authority in any other area. As a result, polytheism ran rampant.
Egypt as a civilzation was an amazing work of man, even by today’s standards. The rulers of the land were many, and their empire spanned for a considerable amount of time. However, once again, their rulers are locked into history and are nothing but bones, ancient artifacts, and dust.
The Babylonian Empire also became an amazing spectacle of power and might. They devastated their enemies and struck fear in the ones they were planning on attacking. They were the ones responsible for the fall of the beloved city Jerusalem, Judah’s capital. Their walls were mighty, their armies strong, and their king ruthless. But even the king was no match for God. When the king prided himself on “all that he had done,” he was brought low. The man went mad and was made to eat with the beasts of the field until he repented of his pride. Yet again, these kings of Babylon came and went. They no longer have a throne to sit upon, nor do they command armies.
Fast-forward to the New Testament, and one will see what may very well be the greatest empires of all time (in terms of might and vastness). The Roman Empire started very small, simply with peasants from Italy. They were not skilled soldiers by and large, but little by little, they conquered. For some time, they operated without a central predominant ruler (specifically, they were without an emperor). They operated under joint control of a Senate.
However, as Rome grew, so did the armies. As a result, the troops needed to be provided for. When this occurred, the generals were responsible for providing for their troops. One such general was Julius Caesar. He was a mighty general who won the hearts of his people and provided for many. Overtime, the allegiance of the people shifted to the one who was caring for them and providing for them: Julius Caesar. Not shortly after this, Caesar became the first Emperor of Rome. As one reads the book of Matthew, he will see that during the birth of Jesus, a man named Caesar Augustus was the emperor. This man was from the line of Julius Caesar.
Throughout the New Testament, people will read of the various emperors, Herodians, men such as Pilate and Festus, and so on. All of these men were mighty in their day, ruling over the people of the land. But the fact of the matter is that they came from the dust, and to the dust they returned. They are no more, and neither is their reign. They most likely had lofty thoughts of themselves and their positions. Nevertheless, they were brought low. They were brought to the grave.
So where does all of this place us? It places us in humble recognition of the God Who reigns above. Scripture says, “But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness” (Ps. 9:7-8).
God’s throne shall endure
God’s throne is firmly established in the heavens. He will never be dethroned nor removed from His rightful place. Sometimes people may say something like, “Make Jesus Lord,” or, “I made Jesus Lord,” or something of the sort. Man does not make Jesus anything; Jesus is Who He is. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. His reign is already established. The problem is not that Jesus is not yet king. The problem is that the people of the King are in rebellion again this great King.
What foolishness to rebel against such a powerful King. What foolishness to turn from such a loving Sovereign. Whom do we have in heaven besides our great King, and whom should be desired besides thee, O God?
The fact of the matter is that even if all of hell, heaven, Satan, the heavenly beings, the demonic forces, and the people of the earth chose to fight against the Almighty, He still would not be dethroned from His rightful place. He is King and will always be King – unlike the rulers and kings of old, who all pass away. They are from the dust, and to the dust they will return.
There is only One Whose throne is firmly established: God Himself. This would be a scary thought if God were a harsh ruler, who ruled with an iron fist, and who cracked the whip upon the back of his people.
But the reality is that the yoke of Jesus is easy and His burden is light. The reality is that this great King Who could have remained upon His throne came to live as a humble servant of the very people who lived in rebellion against Him. It is as though this King rose to His feet from His throne, exited the walls of His castle, stepped out into the towns, found the most rebellious peasant farmer, and washed this peasant’s dirty feet after a hard day’s work in the field.
If that were not enough, when a band of enemies came to kill that very same peasant farmer, the King fought them off and sacrificed His life in the process. While this may not be a perfect illustration of the work of Christ, the point should be clear. Jesus is the great King Who died for His people. He is the great King Who was buried like all the rest of the kings who had died before Him. But unlike all the other kings who had died before Him, this great King did not remain in the grave. Rather, He ascended on high and brought with Him a host of captives in His triumphal procession.
Jesus is not dead. He is alive as much today as He has ever been. He is ruling on His throne in heaven, and one day, He will establish His throne on earth. He will sit upon the throne of David and will rule in justice, righteousness, and uprightness.
Application
Where there is a king, there is authority. Where there is a king, there is a kingly desire to be submitted to as a king. Jesus is King, and He desires that His people would bow the knee to Him in humble submission. A prideful heart will lock the knees. A humble heart will allow for one to stoop low.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for being my King. You are worthy of praise and honor and glory. Help me to see my King Jesus today sitting upon His throne high and lifted up. Teach me humility; teach me to bow, Lord Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.