9 Lift up your heads, O gates; lift them high, O everlasting doors;
and the King of glory shall come in. 10 “Who is he, this King of glory?”
“The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.”
Psalm 24:9-10
Who Is Your King?
For most of history, the vast majority of people have been subjects of a sovereign. There were of course experiments with democracy (the rule of the people) in ancient Greece, but Kings and Queens have ruled over nations for most of time, until the modern era. Even Oligarchies proved to be sovereign over the people. Scripture teaches a deep truth in the metaphor of a sovereign over his subjects.
On Palm Sunday, we celebrate the day Jesus entered Jerusalem to begin the last week of His life before His crucifixion. On that day, it seemed the people were ready for a new sovereign. They hailed Jesus as King by waving palm branches and shouting praises. They believed his coming marked the end of Roman sovereignty over God’s people. But, they weren’t ready to sacrifice their own wills.
Palm Sunday teaches us to ask the question, “Who is our King?” Jesus was not to be the King of Rome, but rather, the King of Glory. His glory is from His divinity, and His reign is everlasting. Had he been only the King of Rome, His reign would have been temporary. However, the reign of King Jesus is eternal, and His sovereignty reaches across all borders.
The question to each of us today is, “Is Jesus our King?” Do we want a King who reigns from on high, although in this world His reign isn’t always seen? Americans have a particularly difficult time with the concept of a sovereign. We are predisposed to a manifest destiny. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful for the freedom given to us in America. However, as loyal subjects of King Jesus, our freedom is contained within the boundaries of His righteousness, not our own wills.
Freedom in Christ
As long as I remain in Christ, I am free within unbounded boarders to discover His will for my life, and it’s a good and loving will. But, when I bow my will to my own desires, I am bound to my own self; I have made myself sovereign. The journey of Lent each year reminds us of our own limitations; it reminds us that we are but dust. However, if in remembering our own limits, we recognize Jesus as King, and bend to His will, then we have entered the realm of glory. It is then we can shout, “Hosanna to the King”, and really mean it. It is then we can realize we have been raised from the ashes.
Grace & Peace for a Holy Week,
Pastor Brad
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
Matthew 5:6