Much of the world stood on pins and needles as it anticipated the arrival of a new King. They had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Finally, the moment had come and everyone was captivated by all the excitement. Then the announcement was made, "A new King is born! A new King is born!" Emotions went through the roof. Some jumped for joy, some cried, some clapped their hands, and some shouted from the rooftops as they celebrated this new King. No, wait I think I'm getting my stories mixed up. Jesus' birth wasn't anything like that.
This week much of the world has waited with great excitement anticipating the arrival of a new addition to the royal family. And finally we heard the word that the new heir to the throne was born. Every photographer wanted desperately to be the one to get the first picture of this new king. Media outlets from all over the world had reporters and camera operators standing by to bring us the news live because this child was royalty. Never mind that the throne he has to stand in line for is one with little power or authority. Forget the fact that great grandma still maintains a firm hold on that throne and this new heir still has grandpa and dad ahead of him. A new king is born! Let's all get excited!
Ok, so perhaps I should tone down the sarcasm a bit. But, I can't help but contrast this moment with that of Jesus' birth. The King of kings, King of the universe, the King whose kingdom never ends, was born one night and most of the world couldn't possibly have cared less. The masses weren't following this moment waiting for the announcement. The town in which He was born made no place for Him. He was so insignificant to those in Bethlehem that nobody offered Him a room for the night. Apart from His parents and a few wise men from a distant land, nobody had a clue as to who He was. Quietly, the King came into the world He had created and hardly anyone knew He had arrived. Like any proud father, His Father in heaven had to announce the birth of His Son, so while the world slept through this monumental moment, all of heaven celebrated. And to a handful of shepherds hanging out in a field, God sent word to declare, "He's here! He's here! He's here!"
So, the birth of "The King," goes by with few to notice it and no fanfare from the masses. Still to this day, much of the world fails to recognize who this Jesus is. "He was just a man," some say. Others think He was nothing but a fable. But one day this King will be back and all the world we see Him then. A world who failed to recognize Him the first time, will not struggle to recognize Him this time. His return will not go unnoticed by the masses. While many will still reject this King, multitudes will celebrate His return. This next time, He'll get the fanfare and the praise He deserves. And every other king, queen, prince, princess, emperor, ruler, leader and potentate will bow their knee to His throne. For His throne is above every other and unto Him alone belongs all power, might and authority.
I am really excited for Prince William and Kate on their new addition, but don't expect me to join in all the hoopla. For goodness sake, I'm an American, so my red, white, and blue DNA kind of opposes the whole monarch thing. More importantly though there's another King who I'm expecting to return. So, while the world's eyes are all turned toward jolly ole England, mine are set to the eastern sky. -- Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fined linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Rev. 19:11-16 NKJV). -- Now, that's my KING!
This week much of the world has waited with great excitement anticipating the arrival of a new addition to the royal family. And finally we heard the word that the new heir to the throne was born. Every photographer wanted desperately to be the one to get the first picture of this new king. Media outlets from all over the world had reporters and camera operators standing by to bring us the news live because this child was royalty. Never mind that the throne he has to stand in line for is one with little power or authority. Forget the fact that great grandma still maintains a firm hold on that throne and this new heir still has grandpa and dad ahead of him. A new king is born! Let's all get excited!
Ok, so perhaps I should tone down the sarcasm a bit. But, I can't help but contrast this moment with that of Jesus' birth. The King of kings, King of the universe, the King whose kingdom never ends, was born one night and most of the world couldn't possibly have cared less. The masses weren't following this moment waiting for the announcement. The town in which He was born made no place for Him. He was so insignificant to those in Bethlehem that nobody offered Him a room for the night. Apart from His parents and a few wise men from a distant land, nobody had a clue as to who He was. Quietly, the King came into the world He had created and hardly anyone knew He had arrived. Like any proud father, His Father in heaven had to announce the birth of His Son, so while the world slept through this monumental moment, all of heaven celebrated. And to a handful of shepherds hanging out in a field, God sent word to declare, "He's here! He's here! He's here!"
So, the birth of "The King," goes by with few to notice it and no fanfare from the masses. Still to this day, much of the world fails to recognize who this Jesus is. "He was just a man," some say. Others think He was nothing but a fable. But one day this King will be back and all the world we see Him then. A world who failed to recognize Him the first time, will not struggle to recognize Him this time. His return will not go unnoticed by the masses. While many will still reject this King, multitudes will celebrate His return. This next time, He'll get the fanfare and the praise He deserves. And every other king, queen, prince, princess, emperor, ruler, leader and potentate will bow their knee to His throne. For His throne is above every other and unto Him alone belongs all power, might and authority.
I am really excited for Prince William and Kate on their new addition, but don't expect me to join in all the hoopla. For goodness sake, I'm an American, so my red, white, and blue DNA kind of opposes the whole monarch thing. More importantly though there's another King who I'm expecting to return. So, while the world's eyes are all turned toward jolly ole England, mine are set to the eastern sky. -- Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fined linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Rev. 19:11-16 NKJV). -- Now, that's my KING!
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